Huge stars turn out to back US presidential hopeful Robert F Kennedy Jr at 70th birthday gala

10 months ago 3

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A HOST of stars will be among well wishers to back US presidential hopeful Robert F Kennedy Jr as he marks his 70th birthday.

Boxer Mike Tyson and Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli will take part in a gala celebration and fund-raiser in California later this month.

RFK Jr, son of former Attorney General Bobby Kennedy and nephew of President JFK, is running as an independent after breaking with the Democratic Party in a shock break with many years of family tradition.

US opinion polls show Kennedy, married to actress Cheryl Hines, star of sit-com Curb Your Enthusiasm, has more support than any other independent candidate has achieved in decades.

He is currently third behind 81-year-old President Biden, the oldest incumbent of the Oval Office, and Donald Trump, 77, who is fighting to get back on the Republican ticket while battling a string of criminal and civil court cases.

Around one in five voters would be likely to choose JFK, according to the latest figures, with another poll putting him as high as 36 per cent.

His run for the White House is boosted by voters who are disillusioned with the two mainstream parties.

RFK said this week: “I’m running against the two weakest candidates in American history. Trump has a very intense following but it’s relatively small.

“My polls right now are beating both candidates in Americans under 45 years old. And in Americans under 35 I’m beating them both by 10 points. I can win.”

The star-studded celebration in Indian Wells will be hosted by TV documentary makers Daphne Barak and Erbil Gunasti and US book publisher Tony Lyons, and rapper Turbo B will perform.

Also appearing at the January 22 gala will be rap star Eric B, who is tipped to announce his candidacy for public office in New York, Grammy-winning singer Sangeeta Kaur and US TV medic Dr Drew Pinksy.

Rock hero Eric Clapton is already behind the latest member of the Kennedy clan to aim for the White House, raising £2 million for his campaign funds at a special gig last September.