In what’s become a familiar tradition, the Kennedy family gathered once again to celebrate the Fourth of July — but this year’s reunion post is making headlines for who wasn’t there.
Kerry Kennedy, daughter of the late Senator Robert F. Kennedy, posted a cheerful video to social media on Saturday (July 5), capturing dozens of Kennedys assembled at the family’s historic Hyannis Port estate in Massachusetts.
“Happy birthday Chris, Kathleen and America,” she captioned the clip, nodding to Chris Kennedy (62) and Kathleen Kennedy Townsend (74), who share their birthday with the nation.
The short video showed the extended family gathered outdoors, smiling and waving as the camera swept across the lawn and out toward a classic Cape Cod sunset. But despite the picture-perfect moment, viewers were quick to spot a glaring omission: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was nowhere in sight.
Comments on the post wasted no time calling it out: “Bet I know who wasn’t there.” “Guess who wasn’t invited.” “Was RFK Jr. invited?” “And I hope to God this is how RFK Jr. found out.” “The Kennedys obviously didn’t want Bobby there!”
The 71-year-old presidential candidate and former environmental lawyer has become a deeply polarizing figure, primarily for his outspoken — and widely discredited — views linking vaccines to autism. Despite overwhelming scientific consensus, RFK Jr. continues to spread anti-vaccine misinformation and has vowed to “eliminate” what he calls the “autism epidemic.”
The CDC has repeatedly stated that vaccines do not cause autism, citing extensive research and peer-reviewed studies.
While RFK Jr. was absent from the festivities, Kerry Kennedy used a separate post to pay tribute to their late mother, Ethel Kennedy, who passed away in October 2024 at the age of 96.
“Every year, Mum led the annual Fourth of July parade in Hyannis Port from her red, white, and blue-decked golf cart,” Kerry wrote. “But she also knew that patriotism means more than celebration.”
She recalled Ethel’s protest against Trump’s immigration policies in 2018, when the then-90-year-old matriarch joined a hunger strike to oppose the “zero tolerance” border crackdown.
“Loving your country means holding it accountable, and fighting to make it better,” Kerry added. “Today is a day for fireworks and family, for cookouts and joy — but also for reflection. On who we are, and the kind of country we want to be.”
“Miss you, Mum. And wishing everyone a happy and safe holiday weekend.”