The super PAC supporting Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s presidential campaign revealed that nearly half of its funds raised so far this year came from a single donor who has previously supported Republican candidates.
In a mid-year filing to the Federal Election Commission, American Values 2024 reported raising approximately $9.8 million. Of that amount, $5 million was contributed by Timothy Mellon, a GOP megadonor who has previously supported Republican candidates and super PACs dedicated to electing Republicans to the House of Representatives.
American Values also mentioned that it received donations from both Democrats and Republicans, including Mellon and Abby Rockefeller, a longtime Democrat supporter. The organization previously announced raising $6.47 million in July alone.
Timothy Mellon stated, “The fact that Kennedy gets so much bipartisan support tells me two things: that he’s the one candidate who can unite the country and root out corruption and that he’s the one Democrat who can win in the general election.”
Other major donations to the super PAC include $4.5 million from Gavin de Becker, a security consultant who has supported both Democratic and Republican campaigns. Despite showcasing bipartisan support, the significant contributions from individuals with a history of supporting Republicans may invite criticism from Democrats who view Kennedy’s candidacy as an attempt by the GOP to undermine President Biden.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the nephew of former President John F. Kennedy and son of former Attorney General Robert Kennedy, has been known for his anti-vaccine activism through the organization he founded, Children’s Health Defense. Additionally, he faced backlash for making comments suggesting that COVID-19 might have been “ethnically targeted”. The Democratic Party, including DNC Chairman Jaime Harrison, condemned his remarks.
Kennedy’s chances of securing the Democratic nomination against Biden are slim, but he has consistently polled with double-digit support in hypothetical match-ups against the incumbent president.