Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr is under fire over disparaging comments he once made about "red state people."
Allies of President Trump are calling Kennedy's rhetoric "disqualifying" as Trump's 2024 campaign aims to highlight Kennedy's liberal views.
In the 2005 clip, Kennedy describes residents of rural, conservative states as violent degenerates who are "more likely to murder you."
"Red state people are more likely to murder you, to impregnate your teenage daughter, to commit a violent crime against you, to commit a nonviolent crime against you, to watch Desperate Housewives on TV, to buy pornography, to buy degenerate video games like ‘Grand Theft Auto,’" RFK Jr. said.
RFK hates you! He said, "Red state people are more likely to murder you." pic.twitter.com/SvN77g0yxC
— MAGA War Room (@MAGAIncWarRoom) May 1, 2024
Kennedy was responding to political analysis at the time that attributed George W. Bush's election victory to the superior morals of conservative states.
"I found the lowest divorce rate in America was Massachusetts, a blue state. The highest divorce rate was Texas, a red state. The lowest teen pregnancy rate was Massachusetts. The highest was Texas," RFK Jr. added.
Trump ally Senator John Barrasso, of Wyoming, called Kennedy's remarks "disqualifying."
"I’m proud to be from the most conservative state in America and represent the best of our country. RFK Jr.'s divisive attacks are disqualifying," he wrote.
Kennedy has the Trump and Biden camps both concerned that he will play spoiler in the presidential race.
Trump blasted Kennedy as a "Democrat plant," pointing to his left-wing views on issues like guns and climate change.
“A Vote for Junior’ would essentially be a WASTED PROTEST VOTE, that could swing either way, but would only swing against the Democrats if Republicans knew the true story about him,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
RFK is also facing attacks from the Biden camp, who have tried to paint him as a right-wing "conspiracy theorist" and a pro-Trump asset.
“RFK Jr. was recruited to run by MAGA Republicans, his candidacy is being propped up by Trump’s largest donor, and a campaign staffer recently admitted that the campaign's top goal is stopping President Biden,” DNC spokesperson Matt Corridoni said in a statement.
Kennedy's own family, a famous dynasty of Democrats, is supporting Biden's re-election.
