The Democratic National Committee (DNC) has initiated a billboard campaign in Michigan, spotlighting the financial ties between independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and a prominent donor shared with former President Donald Trump. The billboards, positioned in Grand Rapids as Kennedy begins his Michigan tour, emphasize the $15 million contribution from Tim Mellon, a transportation executive, to Kennedy’s aligned Super PAC, American Values 2024, and his similar financial support to Trump-aligned MAGA Inc.
The billboards, featuring images of Kennedy and Trump, declare “RFK Jr. powered by MAGA Trump. Same biggest donor Timothy Mellon,” aiming to question Kennedy’s independence and highlight his connections to Trump’s financial backers. This move is part of the DNC’s effort to scrutinize Kennedy’s campaign financing and its potential impact on the 2024 presidential election, especially in crucial battleground states.
In addition to the billboard campaign, the DNC has filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission (FEC), accusing Kennedy and American Values 2024 of illegal coordination, specifically concerning the Super PAC’s support in gathering signatures to secure Kennedy’s ballot access in various states.
Kennedy’s campaign, transitioning from a Democratic primary bid to an independent run, has alarmed some Democrats who fear his candidacy might siphon votes from President Biden, thereby benefiting Trump. The Kennedy campaign, however, defends its cross-political spectrum appeal, asserting their candidate’s commitment to bridging divides and addressing systemic issues within the American political and social landscape.