John Kennedy
Role at the time: United States senator from Louisiana
Condemned
Statement summary
Kennedy responded to the attendance question with a disparaging conditional statement rather than an unambiguous yes or no.
“It might be appropriate if he goes while wearing a paper bag over his head.”
Open source (opens in a new tab)GOP senators back 9/11 families’ petition to exclude MamdaniInterviews with Sens. Tim Sheehy and John Kennedy
Reports senators' responses to the petition. Sheehy endorsed giving families control over attendance; Kennedy answered with a disparaging conditional statement.
Why we used this label
The paper-bag remark is sarcastic disparagement, not a genuine unresolved condition.