Robert F Kennedy Jr has addressed his “disgusting” habit of going to the airplane bathroom barefoot – by feigning an apology about the “inexcusable” mile high decorum.
Justin Haskins, executive editor at the libertarian think tank The Heartland Institute, said on a recent podcast episode that he had snapped a picture of the presidential candidate with his toes out, walking up the aisles to the bathroom in the first-class area of the plane.
“He goes into the restroom sockless and shoeless. Something I’ve literally never seen in my entire life. Absolutely disgusting, right?” Mr Haskins declared.
RFK, the nephew of the 35th President John F Kennedy, is running as an independent candidate in the 2024 presidential election after a brief run as a Democrat.
Mr Haskins and the other conservative podcast hosts joked that their exclusive picture of the barefoot candidate could help them “ruin his entire presidential campaign”.
RFK makes an apology for his “inexcusable” behaviour— (TMZ)
Yet, Mr Kennedy appears to be unfazed about his barefoot blunder being exposed.
In a video sent to TMZ by Mr Kennedy, he spoke out about his toe tribulations in the middle of an airport lounge.
“I want to thank you for all you do to keep politicians honest and make sure that they comply with all the norms of our society,” Mr Kennedy said.
“Even for me, for calling me out on going barefoot on an airplane, that was inexcusable; I can assure you that will never happen again,” he concluded in a sarcastic tone.
But, the apparent shame was shortlived as the video panned back from Mr Kennedy revealing he was once again barefoot – this time as he sat in the airport lounge.
Mr Kennedy is seen sitting tapping his hands and toes nonchalantly.
The presidential candidate has already started using the debacle to plug his 2024 campaign.
In a post on X, Mr Kennedy shared a photo of himself barefoot in the same airport lounge with the slogan “No Shirt, No Shoes, No Secret Service” across the image.
The airplane decorum saga began when the hosts of the In The Tank podcast by The Heartland Institue, a think tank famous for promoting climate change scepticism, aired the picture on a recent episode.
After admitting he tried to take a few surreptitious photos of the presidential candidate on the flight, Mr Haskins claimed he saw Mr Kennedy Jr get up to walk to the plane’s bathroom.
“As he’s walking to the bathroom, I realise the guy has no shoes on and no socks and the floor is covered with food, like disgusting food,” he recalled.
“He goes into the restroom sockless and shoeless. Something I’ve literally never seen in my entire life. Absolutely disgusting, right?” Mr Haskins continued, showing the picture he took of Mr Kennedy walking barefoot.
“This guy’s a presidential candidate, you know he’s he doesn’t wear shoes and socks in a plane in first class like what is this?”
The three other hosts, all of whom also work for the climate-denying think tank, laughed and pointed out stains and what appear to be food crumbs on the floor of the plane.
Mr Haskins said that before Mr Kennedy Jr allegedly walked down the plane barefooted, a woman had spilt her food all over the aisle.
“This man needs to be removed from the race immediately,” Mr Haskins declared to the rest of his colleagues.
Jim Lakely, the vice president of The Heartland Insitute, chimed in saying: “If we start letting people who walk around barefoot on airplanes in positions of power in this country, then we’re through as a country.”
Despite the podcasters thinking their viral feet shot could ruin RFK’s run, he is currently polling higher than any independent or third-party candidate in a generation.
