Current:Home > MyMartin Sheen, Dionne Warwick, Andrea Bocelli listed as guests at RFK Jr.'s birthday fundraiser — and none of them are attending -Secure Growth Solutions
Martin Sheen, Dionne Warwick, Andrea Bocelli listed as guests at RFK Jr.'s birthday fundraiser — and none of them are attending
View
Date:2025-04-18 23:36:15
The super PAC backing Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s presidential bid, American Values 2024, announced a glitzy fundraiser gala for late January that touted Martin Sheen, who played the U.S. president on "West Wing," former boxer Mike Tyson, and singers Dionne Warwick and Andrea Bocelli as guests.
American Values promoted the event last week by sharing it on X, previously known as Twitter, and the Daily Mail reported the appearance of all four stars at the gala. CBS News obtained a copy of the invitation, and although it didn't include the names of the artists, the super PAC confirmed the report.
But soon after the PAC's social media post appeared, Sheen said in an Instagram story, "I do not endorse RFK Jr. nor I will I be attending his party." Sheen, who played fictional President and former New Hampshire Gov. Josiah Bartlett in the award-winning show, added that he's "whole heartedly supporting Joe Biden and the Democratic ticket for 2024."
The fundraiser, hosted by American Values 2024 and another PAC supporting Kennedy, will celebrate the independent candidate's 70th birthday at a gala scheduled for the eve of the New Hampshire primary, on Jan. 22, in Indian Wells, California.
Bradley Whitford, who played Sheen's White House deputy chief of staff in the TV series, reiterated on X that Sheen is not supporting Kennedy.
"There's a story going around saying that Martin Sheen is supporting @RobertKennedyJr for president. The story is incorrect," Whitford said on X.
Warwick called the PAC's announcement "absolutely ridiculous" and said she was unaware of the event.
"I don't know anything about this event. I did not agree to it and I certainly won't be there," Warwick said on X. "If you are going to lie on my name, at least lie about something cool," she added.
A representative for Bocelli told Rolling Stone he is not performing at the gala and that he won't even be in the U.S. this month.
In a statement sent to CBS News, the Kennedy campaign says it does not have "anything to do with organizing this event."
"The campaign has no knowledge of who is attending and can't confirm or deny anyone's participation, either as entertainment or as a guest," Kennedy press secretary Stefanie Spear told CBS News.
American Values 2024 has not responded to a request for comment.
It's not yet known whether actor and former boxer Mike Tyson will be attending the event.
Cristina CorujoCristina Corujo is a digital journalist covering politics at CBS News. Cristina previously worked at ABC News Digital producing video content and writing stories for its website. Her work can also be found in the Washington Post, NBC and NY1.
veryGood! (69717)
Related
- Boy who wandered away from his 5th birthday party found dead in canal, police say
- Are shark attacks on the rise? | The Excerpt
- The U.S. celebrates July 4, but independence from Britain is marked around the globe. Here's a look at how and when different countries celebrate.
- Selena Gomez's Latest PDA Pic With Boyfriend Benny Blanco Will Make You Blush
- Megan Fox's ex Brian Austin Green tells Machine Gun Kelly to 'grow up'
- How to talk to your kids about climate anxiety, according to an environmental educator
- Martha Stewart posted photos of her beige living room, and commenters took it personally
- Residents of small Missouri town angered over hot-car death of police dog
- Jay Kanter, veteran Hollywood producer and Marlon Brando agent, dies at 97: Reports
- Next up for Eddie Murphy? Possibly another 'Beverly Hills Cop' movie or perhaps Broadway
Ranking
- Residents in Alaska capital clean up swamped homes after an ice dam burst and unleashed a flood
- What's open and closed on July 4th? Details on stores, restaurants, Walmart, Costco, Target, more
- Cast of original 'Beverly Hills Cop' movie is back for 'Axel F': Where were they?
- Are shark attacks on the rise? | The Excerpt
- Illinois governor calls for resignation of sheriff whose deputy fatally shot Black woman in her home
- Philadelphia mass shooting leaves 8 people injured, 1 dead; no arrests made, police say
- 4th of July fireworks show: Hayden Springer shoots 59 to grab the lead at John Deere Classic
- Rail cars carrying hazardous material derail and catch fire in North Dakota
Recommendation
USA women's basketball live updates at Olympics: Start time vs Nigeria, how to watch
How to boil hot dogs: Here's how long it should take
US jobs report for June is likely to point to slower but still-solid hiring
Shark attack on South Padre Island, Texas leaves 2 injured, 2 others report encounters
Meta donates $1 million to Trump’s inauguration fund
Alex Morgan responds to accusations involving San Diego Wave, Jill Ellis
Arizona man pleads guilty to murder in wife’s death less than a week after reporting her missing
What to look for in the U.S. government's June jobs report