Current:Home > FinanceKennedy apologizes after a video of him speaking to Trump leaks -Aspire Money Growth
Kennedy apologizes after a video of him speaking to Trump leaks
View
Date:2025-04-15 17:08:26
PHOENIX (AP) — Robert F. Kennedy Jr. apologized Tuesday after a video was posted online showing part of a private phone call between the independent presidential candidate and Republican former President Donald Trump.
The video shows Kennedy listening on a speakerphone as Trump shares disproven claims about childhood vaccines, an issue that has helped Kennedy amass a loyal following among people who reject the scientific consensus that the benefits of vaccines far outweigh the risk of rare complications. Trump also appears to pitch Kennedy on endorsing his campaign.
“I would love you to do so,” Trump tells Kennedy. “And I think it’ll be so good for you and so big for you. And we’re going to win.”
Kennedy says little in the portion of the conversation that was leaked, which begins while Trump is already speaking about vaccines.
“When President Trump called me I was taping with an in-house videographer,” Kennedy wrote on the X platform. “I should have ordered the videographer to stop recording immediately. I am mortified that this was posted. I apologize to the president.”
The video was first posted by Kennedy’s son, Robert F. Kennedy III, who said it was recorded Sunday, a day after Trump was shot at a rally in Pennsylvania and a day before the start of the Republican National Convention. It was deleted a short time later but copies continue to circulate on social media.
A spokesperson for Kennedy, Stefanie Spear, said Monday he is not dropping out. His campaign has focused on the arduous task of getting on the ballot in all 50 states without the support of a political party, which requires considerable time and money.
What to know about the 2024 Election
- Democracy: American democracy has overcome big stress tests since 2020. More challenges lie ahead in 2024.
- AP’s Role: The Associated Press is the most trusted source of information on election night, with a history of accuracy dating to 1848. Learn more.
- We want to hear from you: Did the attempted assassination on former president Donald Trump change your perspective on politics in America?
- Read the latest: Follow AP’s live coverage of this year’s election.
Allies of both Trump and Democratic President Joe Biden worry about how Kennedy’s campaign will affect their own White House prospects. Third-party candidates rarely get more than a few percentage points of the vote, but Democrats blame Green Party candidates in 2000 and 2016 for tipping the elections toward Republicans.
Kennedy has used nontraditional platforms including podcasts and YouTube to build a following with younger voters and those who distrust institutions, groups Trump hopes to bring into his fold. Democrats worry that Kennedy will pick up some of the anti-Trump voters they hope would instead go to Biden, helping the former president to win.
In his call with Kennedy, Trump discusses the assassination attempt against him and the phone call he received afterward from Biden, which he said “was very nice.” He likened the feeling of the bullet slicing his ear to “the world’s largest mosquito.”
veryGood! (5723)
Related
- All That You Wanted to Know About She’s All That
- Why Florence Pugh, Andrew Garfield say filming 'We Live in Time' was 'healing'
- Chicago Fed president sees rates falling at gradual pace despite hot jobs, inflation
- Mauricio Umansky Files for Conservatorship Over Father Amid Girlfriend's Alleged Abuse
- This was the average Social Security benefit in 2004, and here's what it is now
- Opinion: As legendary career winds down, Rafael Nadal no longer has to suffer for tennis
- Shelter-in-place ordered for 2 east Texas cities after chemical release kills 1 person
- 49ers run over Seahawks on 'Thursday Night Football': Highlights
- Trump suggestion that Egypt, Jordan absorb Palestinians from Gaza draws rejections, confusion
- Tigers ready to 'fight and claw' against Guardians in decisive Game 5 of ALDS
Ranking
- Krispy Kreme offers a free dozen Grinch green doughnuts: When to get the deal
- The brutal story behind California’s new Native American genocide education law
- Fall in Love With These Under $100 Designer Michael Kors Handbags With an Extra 20% off Luxury Styles
- Jets new coach Jeff Ulbrich puts Todd Downing, not Nathaniel Hackett, in charge of offense
- The city of Chicago is ordered to pay nearly $80M for a police chase that killed a 10
- How many points did Bronny James score tonight? Lakers-Bucks preseason box score
- Saoirse Ronan Details Feeling “Sad” Over Ryan Gosling Getting Fired From Lovely Bones
- Teen held in fatal 2023 crash into Las Vegas bicyclist captured on video found unfit for trial
Recommendation
Who are the most valuable sports franchises? Forbes releases new list of top 50 teams
49ers run over Seahawks on 'Thursday Night Football': Highlights
A second ex-Arkansas deputy was sentenced for a 2022 violent arrest
WNBA Finals will go to best-of-seven series next year, commissioner says
Taylor Swift makes surprise visit to Kansas City children’s hospital
Who shot a sea lion on a California beach? NOAA offers $20K reward for information
Here's the difference between a sore throat and strep
'It's gone': Hurricane Milton damage blows away retirement dreams in Punta Gorda