Conspiracy theorist, antivaxxer, and independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. took to X to apologize for a leaked video of a call between himself and former Republican President and 2024 GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump.
The now-deleted original post of the video was shared on social media by Robert "Bobby" F. Kennedy III on Tuesday morning. It was filmed Sunday, July 14, the day before the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee began and the day after a deadly shooting at a MAGA rally in Pennsylvania.
A repost of the video can be seen here:
Bobby Kennedy III stated in his caption of the video:
"I am a firm believer that these sorts of conversations should be had in public."
"Here’s Trump giving his real opinion to my dad about vaccinating kids..."
And then added for good measure:
"This is not a cheapfake or somebody doing a Trump voice. This is the real deal."
The 39-year-old actor, writer and CEO of Kennetik Kommunications—a motivational speaking company for real estate professionals—is the eldest of RFK Jr.'s six children with his first and second wives.
RF Kennedy III shares his father's extremist antivaxxer views, as shown by a screenshot of his post taken by campaign advisor Link Lauren.
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The call also included Trump trying to persuade RFK Jr. to drop out of the presidential race and endorse Trump's campaign, possibly taking on an official role.
Without explicit context, Trump tells RFK Jr.:
"I would love you to do something."
"And I think it’ll be so good for you and so big for you. And we’re going to win. We are going to win."
In one of the few times he speaks, RFK Jr. says, "Yeah," in response to Trump's claims they're "going to win."
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RFK Jr. later verified the authenticity of the video and his phone call from Trump in an apology he posted on X.
He wrote:
"When President Trump called me I was taping with an in-house videographer. I should have ordered the videographer to stop recording immediately."
"I am mortified that this was posted. I apologize to the president."
Some pointed out the video poked holes in several claims and comments from Trump about his ties to RFK Jr. and his stance on vaccines.
Was Trump lying on the call or in prior statements?
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On Monday, RFK Jr. met with Trump.
He later posted on X:
"Lots of rumors going around about my meeting this morning with President Trump. Our main topic was national unity, and I hope to meet with Democratic leaders about that as well. No, I am not dropping out of the race."
During their call, Trump also shared that Democratic President Joe Biden called him after Saturday's MAGA rally shooting to ask about his health and well-being and offer his best wishes.
Of the call from President Biden, the Republican presidential candidate said:
"It was very nice, actually."
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