Super Bowl Ad Funding by Sergey Brin’s Ex-Wife

The controversial Super Bowl ad supporting Robert F. Kennedy Jr., which sparked discord within the Kennedy family, received backing from a notable figure connected to the tech industry.

Nicole Shanahan’s Involvement

Nicole Shanahan, a lawyer and former spouse of Google co-founder Sergey Brin, contributed to funding the ad through the super PAC American Values 2024, according to The New York Times. Shanahan expressed her support for Kennedy’s presidential candidacy and saw the ad as an opportunity to promote his campaign.

Funding Details

The $7 million ad, aimed at promoting Kennedy as an independent presidential candidate, featured archival footage of his family and drew inspiration from a similar ad used by his uncle, former President John F. Kennedy, during his 1960 campaign. Shanahan’s contribution of $4 million facilitated the ad’s placement during prime-time viewing hours.

Shanahan’s Motivation

Shanahan’s support for Kennedy stems from her alignment with his values, particularly regarding the environment and vaccine policies. However, Kennedy’s history of spreading misinformation about vaccines has drawn criticism.

Family Disapproval

The use of images of deceased family members in the ad elicited disapproval from certain Kennedy relatives, who voiced their objections publicly. Despite this, a majority of the family reportedly supports Kennedy’s candidacy.

Apology and Response

Kennedy later issued an apology for the controversy surrounding the ad. Despite criticism, Tony Lyons, co-chairman of American Values 2024, described the response to the ad as overwhelmingly positive, with only a minority within the Kennedy family expressing dissent.

Shanahan’s Role

Shanahan played a key role in assembling the archival footage used in the ad, leveraging her connections to facilitate the project. She suggested the retro theme to circumvent legal restrictions barring super PACs from collaborating directly with candidates.

Past Controversies

Shanahan, known for her work in legal tech and as the founder of the Bia-Echo Foundation, has been the subject of media scrutiny in the past. Reports alleging infidelity with tech mogul Elon Musk surfaced in 2022, although both parties denied the accusations.

Conclusion

Shanahan’s involvement in funding the Super Bowl ad reflects her commitment to supporting causes aligned with her values. Despite facing criticism and past controversies, her contribution highlights the intersection of technology, politics, and personal convictions.