In the wake of recent reports suggesting that independent presidential candidate Robert F.
Kennedy Jr. once utilized the private aircraft of the infamous convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, a spokesperson for Kennedy's campaign has issued a statement.
Newsweek, on Wednesday, disclosed that Kennedy Jr.'s name was among several high-profile individuals who had previously been identified as passengers on Epstein's plane. The aircraft, notoriously dubbed the "Lolita Express," is alleged to have been used to transport underage girls to Epstein's properties.
The spokesperson for Kennedy, as quoted by Newsweek, confirmed that the candidate had indeed flown on Epstein's plane once in 1993. The journey, from New York City to Palm Beach, Florida, was to visit Kennedy Jr.'s mother, Ethel Kennedy, for Easter. The trip was organized by Kennedy's then-wife, Mary Richardson Kennedy, who was acquainted with Epstein's partner at the time, Ghislaine Maxwell.
The representative informed Newsweek that "Mary, Kennedys wife, and two of their kids were on the flight. Mary knew Epsteins girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell, who learned that they were going to Palm Beach for Easter and offered their family a ride." Mary Richardson Kennedy passed away in 2012, and Kennedy has since married Cheryl Hines.
Another report by Business and Politics Review cited social media posts discussing a second trip by Kennedy Jr. on Epstein's jet. This trip, too, was reportedly arranged by Mary Kennedy and Ghislaine Maxwell. The posts quoted from Whitney Webbs 2022 book, One Nation Under Blackmail, Vol. 2, which detailed the trip as a fossil hunting expedition in South Dakota, involving Kennedy Jr., Mary, and two of their children. The book suggests that the trip was Maxwell's idea, with Epstein attending reluctantly.
Webb's book quotes Kennedy as recalling that Epstein "did not mingle with us and hardly spoke and did not participate in the fossil hunt." The book further describes Epstein's discomfort with Kennedy's "rambunctious children," leading to Epstein ordering the pilot to land at Midway Field in Chicago, where he disembarked and made his own way home. Kennedy remembered that Maxwell was "in silent tears" after Epstein's abrupt departure.
Newsweek noted that the Epstein scandal continues to be a point of discussion in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election. The outlet was quick to clarify that there is no implication that those who flew on Epstein's jet were involved in any illegal activities.
Liberal media outlets often highlight that former President Donald Trump was acquainted with Epstein and traveled on his plane. Newsweek's recent story reiterated this claim, stating that "records show Trump boarded Epsteins plane, which allegedly flew underage girls to his properties, seven times."
The story also mentioned a flight log from June 1994, listing Trump, his then-wife Marla Maples, their infant daughter Tiffany, and a nanny. Another log from 1995 listed Trump's then 11-year-old son Eric as a passenger. However, the story did not mention that former President Bill Clinton, a Democrat favorite, was also a frequent passenger on the "Lolita Express."
In its coverage of Trump's alleged trips on Epstein's plane, Newsweek was quick to clarify that Trump has "not been accused of any involvement in Epstein and Maxwells alleged crimes."
Trump ally Roger Stone was quoted as labeling the references linking Trump to Epstein flights a "smear," implying they are being circulated online by supporters of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is competing with Trump for the GOP presidential nomination in 2024.
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