Federal court filings unsealed on Friday reveal an intriguing connection between Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and a crisis communications firm accused of conducting a smear campaign against actress Blake Lively. The documents, disclosed in Manhattan, indicate that Kennedy sought advisory services from The Agency Group, also known as TAG PR, during his pursuit of the health secretary nomination.
### Monitoring Public Perception
The records point to a strategy proposed by Jed Wallace, a strategist with the agency. In late 2024, Wallace offered to suppress negative media coverage regarding Kennedy while amplifying positive stories. He also mentioned developing an algorithm designed to manage public concerns tied to adverse publicity. However, it remains unclear whether TAG actually executed any of these services for Kennedy.
Simultaneously, Kennedy was facing scrutiny over personal controversies after abandoning his presidential bid. He had made headlines for various bizarre incidents, such as allegedly leaving a deceased bear cub in Central Park and claiming a parasitic worm had consumed part of his brain.
In communication cited in the filings, Wallace expressed a desire to bolster positive coverage for Kennedy, particularly within conservative circles that could catch the attention of former President Donald Trump. His eagerness to gather favorable commentary is evident in an email stating, “I need to throw a ton of upvotes at the stuff that is rah rah rah for him… and downvote everything that’s acting as a drag on him.”
### Allegations of Smear Campaigns
These unsealed documents stem from a lawsuit filed by Lively against actor Justin Baldoni and others, including TAG PR. The lawsuit revolves around allegations of sexual harassment and retaliation related to Lively’s work on a film with Baldoni. The evidence collected includes testimonies implicating TAG in efforts to create a website that discredited women who accused the Alexander brothers of sex trafficking.
A representative for Wallace defended their practices, asserting that neither he nor his firm had any engagements with the figures highlighted in the recent court documents and denied involvement in the creation of any smear websites. TAG’s co-founder, Melissa Nathan, corroborated that while Kennedy was referred to TAG for consideration, they had never entered into a formal contract or accepted payment.
Court filings further reveal the complexities involved in TAG’s operations. A former TAG employee, Katie Case, testified that she performed work alongside Wallace and Nathan for the Alexander brothers following their search for representation. This brings to light the underlying ethical concerns surrounding the firm’s tactics and practices.
The case involving Lively is not isolated; it also raises questions about how public relations firms navigate client relationships and manage public images, often at the expense of others. Nathan’s attempt to keep client names confidential was contested in court, pointing to a further intertwining of celebrity, reputation management, and legal battles.
As the legal proceedings continue, the implications of these revelations may reverberate throughout both the entertainment industry and the political landscape, particularly for Kennedy, who seeks to restore his public image amid ongoing controversies. The unsealed records not only shine a light on the operations of TAG but also illustrate a broader narrative concerning the often murky world of public relations in high-stakes settings.
Source reference: Full report
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