Staff Reports
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is making a bold claim that he plans to return to his New York roots, despite his current tan from the sunny climes of California. The independent presidential candidate faced intense scrutiny during a recent court session where he defended his right to appear on the New York ballot, even as critics question his residency credentials. It seems that while Kennedy presents himself as a potential champion of the people, some New Yorkers are left scratching their heads, pondering if their future president has actually been munching on guacamole and hanging out with Hollywood elites instead of fighting for their interests back home.
A lawsuit initiated by a group of voters seeks to put the kibosh on Kennedy’s ambitions, alleging that he has been calling a suburb of New York City, Katonah, his home while living it up in Los Angeles since 2014. One has to wonder how many selfie sticks it takes to take a permanent residence “back home” when he’s been soaking up the sun in California for nearly a decade. In the courtroom, Kennedy insisted that Katonah was indeed his “home address,” but his history of comfort in the L.A. lifestyle seemed to puncture his argument like a pin to a balloon.
RFK Jr. grilled again about his move to California while listing New York address on ballot petition: ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Robert F. Kennedy Jr. insisted he plans to return to live in New York, as the… https://t.co/SZvkTprxlU pic.twitter.com/NTdWy1B4xo
— Janie Johnson – America is Exceptional (@jjauthor) August 7, 2024
In an exchange that could rival a tense scene from a reality TV show, Kennedy squirmed under questioning, unable to simply affirm he was still a proud New Yorker. Instead, he offered a convoluted explanation involving love for his wife, Cheryl Hines, and his supposed temporary displacement. Apparently, love means living in a different state for almost ten years while the “best-laid plans” of living in New York get pushed to the back burner. It’s a riddle wrapped in an enigma, and many are starting to see through the murky waters.
The courtroom drama also revealed that Kennedy may not be the dedicated New Yorker he claims to be, as he admitted to spending only one night in the very room he labeled as his residence. Challenged about the state of his accommodations, he both acknowledged that the room is not furnished to his taste while emphasizing that a snapshot of him alongside rock icon Mick Jagger truly makes it feel like home. Perhaps the voters can take solace in the fact that their potential leader rubs elbows with music royalty, but they still might balk at the notion of electing someone who appears to see New York as more of a vacation spot these days.
In what can only be described as classic political maneuvering, the owner of the Katonah property testified that Kennedy signed a lease only after The New York Post raised eyebrows over his questionable claims about residency. This could give new meaning to the phrase “better late than never.” While Kennedy insists he consistently believed his assistant was handling rent during his absence, the timing of those payments post-public scrutiny raises more questions than it answers. It seems he’s keeping the public on a tightrope, balancing a reputation of nostalgia for New York with the logistical reality of a California lifestyle.
As Kennedy navigates this legal labyrinth with the help of a super PAC that has strong ties to Biden’s camp, both sides of the aisle are bracing themselves for a fight. There’s no denying that a Kennedy runs with some serious name recognition, and that could spell trouble for both Democrats and Republicans alike. Voters are left to ponder whether they want a potential president who thinks his “temporary” move to California is compatible with his aspirations for New York’s highest office. All said and done, as Kennedy supposedly plots his return, the question remains: will he arrive with the spirit of the New York hustle or simply as a transient caretaker of the Kennedy legacy?
