Jets’ QB Aaron Rodgers Denies He Spread Sandy Hook Conspiracy Theories Amidst Vice Presidential Consideration

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers has responded to reports that link him to conspiracy theories around the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting and stated that he has never denied the tragic event’s occurrence.

Rodgers made the statement in light of his potential consideration as the running mate for independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

CNN recently reported that Rodgers privately shared conspiracy theories that suggested he thought the Newtown, Connecticut, shooting, which claimed the lives of 26 individuals, 20 of whom were students, was an inside job orchestrated by the government, with media outlets allegedly complicit in a cover-up.

On Thursday, Rodgers took to X to address the claims.

He clarified his stance, “I am not and have never been of the opinion that the events did not take place. Again, I hope that we learn from this and other tragedies to identify the signs that will allow us to prevent unnecessary loss of life. My thoughts and prayers continue to remain with the families affected along with the entire Sandy Hook community.”

However, Mark Bankston, an attorney who represented the families of Sandy Hook victims in their lawsuit against conspiracy theorist and Infowars host Alex Jones, criticized Rodgers in an X thread where he expressed his disappointment.

“I already knew this about you, but what I learned today — that you were one of those freaks telling reporters (and god knows who else) that the Sandy Hook parents were liars and actors — crosses a line you can’t come back from,” Bankston wrote.  

Rodgers has previously faced controversy concerning his political views when he shared misinformation about Covid-19 vaccines and misled the public about his own vaccination status. Similarly, Kennedy, who had initially run in the Democratic primary before he pivoted to an independent candidacy, has faced criticism for spreading vaccine misinformation.

Kennedy is expected to announce his vice presidential running mate in the coming weeks. Former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura is another name confirmed to be on Kennedy’s shortlist of potential candidates.

Rodgers was recently in the news when he suggested that Jimmy Kimmel was connected to the late sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. Rodgers retracted the statement after Kimmel threatened to sue him.