DES MOINES, IOWA – Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says that his friend, actor Woody Harrelson, may not be aware of the controversy he sparked by wearing a hat seemingly endorsing his Democratic presidential primary challenge against President Biden.
Harrelson, who’s known for weighing in on the political conversation, was wearing a blue Kennedy 2024 cap in a photo posted on Instagram by Kennedy’s wife, actress and “Curb Your Enthusiasm” star Cheryl Hines.
The photo of Harrelson’s apparent backing of the long-shot primary challenge by Kennedy – the environmental lawyer, high-profile vaccine critic, and a scion of arguably the nation’s most famous political dynasty – went viral on social media and prompted plenty of pushback.
“I’ve texted with him. You know, he’s very hard to get a hold of. He’s been a friend for many, many years. He’s very close to me and Cheryl,” Kennedy told Fox News Digital as he was interviewed Saturday evening at the Iowa State Fair.
“One thing is he doesn’t like cell phones. It’s conceivable that he does not know about all of the controversy,” Kennedy noted. “He doesn’t watch TV. He doesn’t have his cell phone and he’s kind of off the grid.”
Kennedy was making his first campaign stop in Iowa since announcing his candidacy for the White House. He has also repeatedly stumped in New Hampshire. The two states for half a century have led off both major parties presidential nominating calendar.
While the Republicans have kept the traditional primary and caucus schedule this election cycle, the Democrats upended their calendar, moving New Hampshire down in the order and removing Iowa completely from the list of early voting states.
Both states will likely hold nominating contests not sanctioned by the Democratic National Committee, and Biden will most likely refrain from campaigning in either state during the primary calendar.
ROBERT F. KENNEDY JR. TAKES AIM AT MAINSTREAM MEDIA
“I think it’s unfortunate for our country,” Kennedy told Fox News, as he nodded towards Biden’s absence from Iowa and New Hampshire.
“It’s been a tradition. These are the two states that really force candidates to go through this process of retail politics. To go to the nail salons, to go to the diners, to come to the county fairs and actually meet people and understand what’s happening with America. There’s a temptation for politicians to stay at home, take a bunch of checks from billionaires, and then carpet bomb the country from 30-thousand feet with advertisements and not really ever have to understand what’s happening to the American people right now,” Kennedy argued.
And Kennedy noted that “these are the only two states where you have to do retail politics – New Hampshire and Iowa. The people here want to shake your hand. They want to look you in the eye.”
