Jets QB Aaron Rodgers is replying to an accusation by CNN that he shared untrue conspiracy theories questioning the truth of the Sandy Hook mass shooting.
The CNN report appeared shortly after it was confirmed by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s campaign that RFK Jr. is considering Rodgers as his potential vice presidential running mate, along with former Minnesota governor and professional wrestler Jesse Ventura. Rodgers hasn't indicated whether he would accept the job if it's offered, but a report by The New York Times stated he and Ventura “welcomed” the consideration.
CNN stated that Rodgers had previously “shared false Sandy Hook conspiracy theories in private conversations,” basing its reporting on an unnamed source and journalist Pamela Brown.
On March 14, Rodgers wrote on his X page, “As I’ve said before, what happened in Sandy Hook was a terrible tragedy. I am not and have never been of the opinion that the events did not take place. Once again, I hope that we learn from this and other tragedies to identify the signs that will help us prevent unnecessary loss of life. My thoughts and prayers continue to remain with the affected families and the entire Sandy Hook community. ❤️”
According to History.com, Adam Lanza killed 20 first graders and six school employees at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012, in Newtown, Connecticut. He also killed his mother. Commentator Alex Jones was ordered to pay over $1 billion in damages to the relatives of children killed in a defamation case involving Sandy Hook conspiracy theories, as reported by Reuters.
Kennedy’s campaign confirmed to Heavy, before the controversy on Sandy Hook erupted, that he is considering Rodgers as his running mate.
“Yes, Mr. Kennedy did share with the New York Times that he’s considering Aaron Rodgers and Jesse Ventura as running mates along with others on a short list,” RFK Jr.’s campaign told Heavy in an email.
Here’s what you need to know:
Aaron Rodgers Was Accused by a CNN Journalist of Stating That the Sandy Hook Mass Shooting ‘Was Actually a Government Inside Job’
According to CNN, Rodgers “shared deranged conspiracy theories about the 2012 Sandy Hook school shooting not being real.”
CNN continued, “CNN knows of two people with whom Rodgers has enthusiastically shared these stories, including with Pamela Brown, one of the journalists writing this piece.”
According to CNN, Brown had a conversation with Rodgers in 2013 at a Kentucky Derby party. According to Brown’s account, Rodgers spoke about “the tragic killing of 20 children and 6 adults by a gunman at Sandy Hook Elementary School, claiming it was actually a government inside job and the media was intentionally ignoring it.”
Brown “remembers Rodgers asking her if she thought it was strange that there were men in black in the woods by the school, falsely claiming those men were actually government operatives,” CNN reported. The unnamed source accused Rodgers of saying several years ago, “Sandy Hook never happened…All those children never existed. They were all actors.”
Opinions on Rodgers' X page were varied. "That was clearly a CNN hit piece," stated one man. But another individual commented, "Caught red handed and now trying to backtrack. Lol. Pathetic."
But another person commented, "Focus on football."
Aaron Rodgers discussed the Sandy Hook Tragedy with a Milwaukee Television Station
Rodgers has discussed the Sandy Hook tragedy with news anchors in Milwaukee before.
"I hope that we can learn from this and look for the signs more and not ever have something like this happen and keep this on our minds because these are things that affect all of us directly or indirectly," expressed Rodgers at the time to Fox 6 Milwaukee. "This needs to be something that we learn from."
The impact of all this controversy on the Jets is uncertain. Shortly before the VP consideration news broke, on March 8, the New York Jets’ website was reporting that Rodgers was hopeful he can “play three to four more seasons.”
That story also reported that Rodgers “will return to the field in 2024 after rupturing his Achilles tendon four snaps into his Jets regular-season debut.”
