RFK Jr admits he has ‘perception problem’ as he defends conspiracy theories and insists famed family still ‘loves’ him

Robert F Kennedy, Jr, mounted a passionate defense of his independent campaign in an interview with Dr Phil aired on Thursday, even as he was left off the debate stage.

The environmental lawyer, the son of former US Attorney General and presidential candidate Robert F Kennedy, said he stood by his many controversial positions, often described as conspiracy theories, and downplayed the strident public dissapproval many of his famous family members have for his campaign.

“Yeah, I have a perception problem, particularly in the mainstream media,” Kennedy told Dr Phil.

Ultimately, however, he said still supported claims such as insisting federal health officials had compromised motives for approving the Covid vaccines, and said being described as anti-vax is defamation.

He told Dr Phil he’s fully vaccinated aside from Covid, and his children are fully vaccinated as well.

“I’ve always said I’m not anti-vaccine,” he said, adding, “I’m never going to take anybody’s vaccine. If vaccines are working for you, God bless you. I believe in choice and liberty, that government shouldn’t be ordering people to take a product, particularly one that is protected from liability.”

The conversation came amid the wider context of Kennedy being left off the presidential debate stage, where Donald Trump and Joe Biden were set to face off in Atlanta on Thursday evening.

Kennedy also said he respected the decision of 15 members of the Kennedy family, including his siblings, to support the Biden campaign.

“I love my family, I feel loved by my family and I feel like I can argue with them in a way that is congenial,” Kennedy said. “I wish we could have civil debate again without hating each other.”

Amid the defenses of his campaign, Kennedy