Joe Scarborough, host of MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” strongly criticized independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for recent remarks made at a campaign rally in Michigan. Scarborough asserted that the elder Robert F. Kennedy would be deeply ashamed of his son’s comments, which disparaged Arab people.
During a rally supporting Republican candidates Mike Rogers and John James, RFK Jr. stated that Arab people "don’t produce science." He further elaborated that they do not win Nobel Prizes, Fields Prizes, or Wolf Prizes, nor do they produce literature. These claims have been factually disputed, with numerous individuals of Arab descent having received Nobel Prizes, including in scientific fields and for peace.
Scarborough, who expressed personal admiration for the elder Robert F. Kennedy and cited him as an inspiration for his own political involvement, called his son’s statements "asinine." He contrasted RFK Jr.'s comments with his father's historic 1968 speech in Indianapolis, which urged peace and understanding following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.
"The easiest thing for a political leader to do is to appeal to our bigotry and our hatred and xenophobia and prejudice, and point to people who are unlike us and say they’re the ones who are damaging our country," RFK Jr. himself stated in 2016, a quote shared by his sister, Kerry Kennedy, on social media. Kerry Kennedy also expressed her dismay, stating, "A person’s race, religion, ethnicity or socioeconomic background does not determine their intellect, creativity or capacity to contribute to humanity. My thoughts are with all those hurt by my brother’s false, cruel and derogatory words."
Scarborough questioned what RFK Jr. has sacrificed his family's legacy for, suggesting a descent into political tactics aligned with figures like Donald Trump. He characterized Kennedy’s turn towards such rhetoric as an act of cowardice, the antithesis of his father’s courageous stance in a moment of national crisis.