Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. apologizes for super Bowl commercial based on 1960 JFK campaign ad

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. apologized Monday morning for a $7 million Super Bowl ad that borrowed heavily from a 1960 campaign ad for his uncle, John F. Kennedy.

The commercial, which was produced by American Values 2024, the super PAC supporting Kennedy featured the same exact music and imagery from a famous ad used by JFK’s campaign when he ran for president under the Democratic Party ticket in 1960.

The son of the late New York senator and attorney general shared the ad on X but apologized to his family just a few hours later after they raised concerns.

RFK Jr. shared the ad on X but hours later added an apology to his family. (Notably, the ad remained on his account.)

“I’m so sorry if the Super Bowl advertisement caused anyone in my family pain,” Kennedy wrote on X. “The ad was created and aired by the American Values Super PAC without any involvement or approval from my campaign. FEC rules prohibit Super PACs from consulting with me or my staff. I love you all. God bless you.”

The independent candidate’s press secretary however, Stefanie Spear, thanked American Values co-founder Tony Lyons estimated at $7 million, according to CBS News. 

“We are pleasantly surprised and grateful to the American Values PAC for running an ad during the Super Bowl where more than 100 million Americans got to see that Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. is running as an independent candidate for president of the United States,” the press secretary told CBS News.

Those surrounding the Democratic Party dynasty however expressed displeasure, taking aim at RFK Jr.’s politics, arguing his views are inconsistent with the traditional Kennedy line.

RFK Jr.’s siblings vocally opposed his independent candidacy in October.

 Robert Shrum, a speechwriter for the late former Sen. Ted Kennedy from Massachusetts, called the commercial was “plagiarism” and chided the RFK kin.

In a replay of Lloyd Bentsen’s comments to Dan Quayle during the 1988 vice presidential debate, in which the Democrat told the Indiana congressman, “you’re no JFK,” Shrum wrote on X, “Bobby, you’re no John Kennedy.′ Instead you are a Trump ally.”

Kennedy, whose America First views seem to align with the MAGA movement has been pulling an estimated 14% of the general vote, according to a recent Quinnipiac poll.

His candidacy could impact both sides of the aisle, although Democrats have expressed serious concerns, it could take away more votes from Joe Biden’s re-election campaign.