Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been vocal about his claims of censorship by the government, news media, and tech platforms, and this weekend, he received more ammunition for his argument when Facebook and Instagram blocked a link to a new ad supporting his presidential campaign. The 30-minute ad, narrated by actor Woody Harrelson, was produced by Jay Carson and aimed to introduce Mr. Kennedy as a crusader for a clean environment, good government, and American values.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, called the blocking of the link a mistake and quickly rectified the issue after it was brought to their attention. However, Tony Lyons, the founder of American Values 2024, the super PAC behind the ad, plans to sue Meta for censorship and violation of First Amendment rights.
The ad delves into Mr. Kennedy’s personal journey, from struggles with heroin addiction to his career as an environmental lawyer. It also addresses his controversial views on childhood vaccinations, which have garnered both support and criticism. Despite facing backlash from major news media outlets and social media platforms in the past, Mr. Kennedy’s message continues to resonate with a significant audience.
The campaign’s response to the link blockage included releasing a TikTok video showcasing error messages and sending out a fundraising email to supporters. Mr. Kennedy himself took to Facebook to label the ad as “the Bobby Kennedy video Facebook doesn’t want you to see.” The ad highlights Mr. Kennedy’s physical fitness, his skepticism of vaccinations, and his criticisms of government responses to the Covid-19 pandemic.