JD Vance addresses Robert F. Kennedy Jr. saying he 'won't take sides on 9/11'
Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance said he has no hesitations about accepting Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s endorsement ? although he doesn't agree with some of his conspiracy theories ? in an interview that aired Sunday morning.
The independent presidential candidate suspended his campaign and endorsed former President Donald Trump and his running mate Friday. Speculation about whether Kennedy was pulling more votes from Republicans or Democrats has surrounded his White House bid in recent months. The nephew of former President John F. Kennedy lost his family's support in the race after sticking to several unfounded claims about COVID-19, vaccines and mass shootings.
In an interview with "Meet the Press" moderator Kristen Welker, Vance was asked about the conspiracy theories Kennedy has spread and said he, in particular, did not agree with Kennedy's stance that he "won't take sides" on 9/11.
"I certainly have taken sides in 9/11. I'm the pro-America side," Vance said. "I don't know what RFK said there. But what I do know is that RFK said a lot of very interesting and important things – that the Democratic Party has become too pro-censorship."
Kennedy in July appeared to address the troves of conspiracy theories surrounding the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001, alleging that false claims "flourish when the government routinely lies to the public. As President I won't take sides on 9/11 or any of the other debates," he wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
The 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon were the work of 19 al-Qaida conspirators who hijacked passenger jets departing from Boston, one from Newark, New Jersey, and one from outside Washington.
They turned the planes into weapons as two slammed into and toppled the Twin Towers in New York, one struck the Pentagon and one, probably headed for the U.S. Capitol, crashed into a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
Vance continued addressing Kennedy's claims, attacking Democratic leaders' handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"I mean, you had Democrats saying that we should be masking toddlers in their schools, even though we knew it caused developmental disabilities," Vance said. "I agree with RFK that that was crazy."
When Welker pushed back and explained that masks helped prevent the spread of the disease, Vance responded, "totally." There is no evidence that children wearing masks during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic caused widespread developmental challenges.
Vance addressed his own controversy when Welker asked about backlash from his 2021 "childless cat lady" comments that resurfaced online in recent weeks.
"I have a lot of regrets, Kristen, but making a joke three years ago is not at the top ten of the list," Vance said.
In the wide-ranging interview, Vance said he believes the 2024 election will be "free and fair," despite his running mate already sowing doubts about the administration of the election. He also refused to acknowledge that Trump's tariff plan could cost consumers but said he would "absolutely commit" to not imposing a federal ban on abortion if they win in November.
Rachel Barber is a 2024 election fellow at USA TODAY, focusing on politics and education. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter, at @rachelbarber_
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: JD Vance addresses RFK Jr.'s 9/11 comments