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R.F.K., Jr., and the Central Park Bear, with Clare Malone

R.F.K., Jr., and the Central Park Bear, with Clare Malone

Update: 2024-08-13
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This podcast episode delves into the life and career of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., focusing on a peculiar incident involving a dead bear cub in Central Park. The episode features an interview with Clare Malone, a staff writer for The New Yorker, who recently profiled Kennedy. Malone discusses how Kennedy attempted to preemptively address a negative story about him by confessing to the bear incident in a video posted on Rizambar, a social media platform. The incident, which involved Kennedy placing the dead cub in the park and staging it to look like it had been hit by a bicycle, has raised questions about Kennedy's judgment and his ability to lead. The episode also explores the context of the incident within Kennedy's larger profile, including his history of drug use, his second wife's suicide, and his current presidential campaign. The conversation examines the potential impact of the incident on Kennedy's candidacy and his future political aspirations.

Outlines

00:00:23
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the Dead Bear Incident

This chapter explores the bizarre incident involving a dead bear cub in Central Park, where Robert F. Kennedy Jr. confessed to placing the cub in the park and staging it to look like it had been hit by a bicycle. The incident was revealed in a video posted on Rizambar, a social media platform, and was initially denied by Kennedy.

00:06:45
The Bear Incident and Kennedy's Candidacy

This chapter discusses the context of the bear incident within Kennedy's larger profile, including his history of drug use, his second wife's suicide, and his current presidential campaign. The conversation examines the potential impact of the incident on Kennedy's candidacy and his future political aspirations.

Keywords

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.


Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is an American environmental lawyer, author, and anti-vaccine activist. He is the son of Robert F. Kennedy and nephew of John F. Kennedy. He is currently running for president of the United States as an independent candidate.

The New Yorker


The New Yorker is a weekly American magazine of politics, culture, and the arts. It is known for its long-form journalism, literary fiction, and humor.

Rizambar


Rizambar is a social media platform where Robert F. Kennedy Jr. shared a video confessing to the dead bear incident. It is a platform known for its focus on news and current events.

Central Park


Central Park is a large urban park in the middle of Manhattan, New York City. It is a popular destination for recreation, relaxation, and cultural events.

Presidential Campaign


A presidential campaign is a political process in which candidates for president of the United States seek the support of voters. It involves campaigning, fundraising, and media coverage.

Q&A

  • What was the bizarre incident that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. confessed to in a video?

    Kennedy confessed to placing a dead bear cub in Central Park in 2014, staging it to look like it had been hit by a bicycle. He claimed he did this to draw attention to the issue of bike lane accidents.

  • How did Clare Malone find out about the bear incident?

    Malone discovered the incident during her reporting for a profile of Kennedy for The New Yorker. She contacted Kennedy for comment, but he initially denied the story.

  • What is the significance of the bear incident in the context of Kennedy's presidential campaign?

    The incident has raised questions about Kennedy's judgment and his ability to lead. It has also been seen as a sign of his desperation to gain attention and stay relevant in the race.

Show Notes

The New Yorker staff writer Clare Malone’s Profile, What Does Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Actually Want? sheds light on Kennedy’s position in this Presidential race—and it also solves a ten-year-old mystery about a dead bear cub found in Central Park. On Sunday, Kennedy tried to get ahead of the publication of Malone’s story by relating the bizarre scheme (involving roadkill, falconry, dangerous bike lanes, and more) in a video that he released on social media. David Remnick talks with Malone about Kennedy’s highly unusual candidacy, and why he’s staying in the race.

Comments (3)

Steven Maurice

Trump has a gift for finding useful idiots. usually narcissistic sociopaths like himself.

Aug 31st
Reply (1)

L D

Sometimes you eat the bear, and sometimes the bear eats you.

Aug 13th
Reply
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R.F.K., Jr., and the Central Park Bear, with Clare Malone

R.F.K., Jr., and the Central Park Bear, with Clare Malone

WNYC Studios and The New Yorker