Robert F. Kennedy Jr. launches unlikely presidential bid as a Democrat
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an anti-vaccine activist and attorney from the famed political Kennedy family, announced on Wednesday that he is running for president in 2024 as a Democrat.
Son of former Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy and the nephew of President John F. Kennedy, the 69-year-old launched his candidacy at Boston Park Plaza in Boston.
"I've come here today to announce my candidacy for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States," he said, noting that the aim of his campaign, and presidency, would be to "end the corrupt merger of state and corporate power."
Kennedy, who has espoused vaccine hesitancy since the 2000s, has become one of the most prominent voices in the anti-vaccine movement, according to experts, as the founder of Children's Health Defense, a nonprofit organization known mainly for its anti-vaccine efforts.
MORE: Some experts fear rise in medical misinformation following RFK Jr.'s presidential announcement
Kennedy, a self-described "lifelong Democrat," through his support of what critics call conspiracies about the COVID-19 vaccines, has garnered support from some unlikely bedfellows on the right.
"RFK Jr. could jump into the Republican primary for president, and only [Ron] DeSantis and [former President Donald] Trump, I think, would do better," former Trump adviser Steve Bannon recently said on MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell's streaming program, "Lindell TV."
MORE: Democratic Party remains united behind Biden as long shot 2024 challengers emerge
During his announcement, Kennedy tried to thread the needle between his party affiliation and their opponents.
"During this campaign and during my administration my objective will be to make as many Americans as possible forget that they are Republicans or Democrats and remember that they are Americans," Kennedy said. "We need to focus on the values we share instead of the issues that divide us," he said.
He'll now face Marianne Williamson, a self-help author who announced her bid on March 4. He'll likely also oppose President Joe Biden, who has repeatedly said he intends to run for reelection in 2024 barring some major issues such as his health. However, the Democrat has not officially announced a decision.
The White House declined to comment on Kennedy's presidential announcement on Wednesday, with press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre invoking the HATCH Act -- a law that restricts political activities of federal employees -- to dodge questions about a potential Biden opponent.
"So it's 2024 -- the HATCH Act -- I'm not going to touch that," she said at a press briefing. "I'm not going to touch that with a 12-foot pole."
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. launches unlikely presidential bid as a Democrat originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
