Robert Kennedy Jr and Kerry Kennedy attend the 2015 Riverkeeper Fishermen’s Ball at Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers on May 20, 2015 in New York City.
Jamie McCarthy | Getty Images
WASHINGTON — Kerry Kennedy, a sister of Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., lambasted her brother in a short assertion Monday after a report that quoted him as saying Covid-19 was “focused to assault Caucasians and Black people” and that Jewish people are most immune.
“I strongly condemn my brother’s deplorable and untruthful remarks final week about Covid being engineered for ethnic focusing on,” Kerry Kennedy stated in a statement launched by the non-profit group Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights the place she serves as president.
“His statements don’t signify what I imagine or what Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights stand for, with our 50+-year monitor report of defending rights and standing in opposition to racism and all types of discrimination,” she added.
On Saturday, the New York Post published an article that included a video that appeared to point out Kennedy talking at a dinner in Manhattan about bioweapons and “ethnically focused microbes” during which he claimed that “Covid-19 assaults sure races disproportionately.”
“Covid-19 is focused to assault Caucasians and Black people. The people who’re most immune are Ashkenazi Jews and Chinese,” he stated, in accordance with the video revealed by the Post. “We do not know whether or not it was intentionally focused that or not.” An overwhelming portion of American Jews are Ashkenazi Jews, who’re descended from Jews who lived in Central and Eastern Europe.
NBC News has not verified the video. In a press release posted to Twitter later within the day, Kennedy defended his remarks, saying they weren’t anti-Semitic.
Former Rep. Joe Kennedy III, D-Mass., additionally weighed in on Monday, tweeting that he condemns his uncle’s remarks.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been repeatedly criticized for pushing conspiracy theories, together with about vaccines.
Kerry Kennedy, the 63-year-old sister of RFK Jr., additionally blasted her 69-year-old brother when he launched his presidential bid in April.
“I really like my brother Bobby, however I don’t share or endorse his opinions on many points, together with the COVID pandemic, vaccinations, and the function of social media platforms in policing false info,” she stated on the time. “It can also be vital to notice that Bobby’s views are usually not mirrored in or affect the mission or work of our group.”
Other members of their household have additionally rebuked the presidential hopeful over the conspiracy theories about vaccines and misinformation he has unfold for years.
