Robert F. Kennedy Jr., independent presidential candidate, sparked controversy after suggesting that COVID-19 may have been “ethnically targeted” to disproportionately affect certain populations, namely Caucasians and Black people, while being less harmful to Chinese and Ashkenazi Jewish individuals. He made these remarks at a campaign event in New York City.
Kennedy’s claims, immediately denounced by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and various Jewish organizations, were characterized as antisemitic and conspiratorial. Critics pointed out the historical parallels between his statement and antisemitic tropes blaming Jewish people for disease.
In response to the backlash, Kennedy attempted to clarify his remarks. He argued his statement was taken out of context and misrepresented his intent, which he said was to highlight government manipulation of data and weaponization of public health. He claimed he never implied any intentional targeting by a specific group, and instead emphasized the need for further research into potential biological weapons.
He later posted on X, stating, “The claim that COVID-19 was bio-engineered to spare Jews and Chinese people is ‘deeply offensive and utterly absurd.'” He also stated he does not believe the virus was designed to spare certain groups.
find the original article here: https://www.yahoo.com/news/rfk-jr-says-maybe-just-222044281.html