Current:Home > MyMartin Sheen, Dionne Warwick, Andrea Bocelli listed as guests at RFK Jr.'s birthday fundraiser — and none of them are attending -TradeSphere
Martin Sheen, Dionne Warwick, Andrea Bocelli listed as guests at RFK Jr.'s birthday fundraiser — and none of them are attending
View
Date:2025-04-12 20:20:22
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! (258)
Related
- The Grammy nominee you need to hear: Esperanza Spalding
- To tip or not to tip? 3 reasons why tipping has gotten so out of control
- Two Indicators: After Affirmative Action & why America overpays for subways
- Climate Change and Habitat Loss is Driving Some Primates Down From the Trees and Toward an Uncertain Future
- NHL in ASL returns, delivering American Sign Language analysis for Deaf community at Winter Classic
- Surprise, you just signed a contract! How hidden contracts took over the internet
- Netflix's pop-up eatery serves up an alternate reality as Hollywood grinds to a halt
- Indiana, Iowa, Ohio and Wisconsin Lag on Environmental Justice Issues
- DeepSeek: Did a little known Chinese startup cause a 'Sputnik moment' for AI?
- Wisconsin Advocates Push to Ensure $700 Million in Water Infrastructure Improvements Go to Those Who Need It Most
Ranking
- Meta donates $1 million to Trump’s inauguration fund
- Heat waves in Europe killed more than 61,600 people last summer, a study estimates
- Thousands of authors urge AI companies to stop using work without permission
- Boats, bikes and the Beigies
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- Fox's newest star Jesse Watters boasts a wink, a smirk, and a trail of outrage
- The EV Battery Boom Is Here, With Manufacturers Investing Billions in Midwest Factories
- Reddit says new accessibility tools for moderators are coming. Mods are skeptical
Recommendation
Backstage at New York's Jingle Ball with Jimmy Fallon, 'Queer Eye' and Meghan Trainor
Environmental Advocates Call on Gov.-Elect Wes Moore to Roll Back State Funding for Fossil Fuel Industry
Meta leans on 'wisdom of crowds' in AI model release
It's back-to-school shopping time, and everyone wants a bargain
Macy's says employee who allegedly hid $150 million in expenses had no major 'impact'
Project Runway All Stars' Rami Kashou on His Iconic Designs, Dressing Literal Royalty & More
FTC investigating ChatGPT over potential consumer harm
Malaysia's government cancels festival after The 1975's Matty Healy kisses a bandmate