Newsom says RFK Jr. 'being used' by conservatives

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) said in an interview Sunday that he agrees Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is "being used" by conservatives as he challenges President Biden for the Democratic nomination.

When asked by NBC's Chuck Todd on "Meet the Press" about his relationship with Kennedy, Newsom said that their points of views have split "pretty significantly and consequently." He pointed to Kennedy's stances on vaccines and other issues as reasons for splitting with him, but noted that he did not discourage him from running against the Biden while noting that he revered the Kennedy family.

"So look, I wish him only the best, and I mean that. I have great respect for – for him, and his kids, and his wife," Newsom said. "But boy, his politics have shifted and I just don't buy it. And when I'm sitting here watching him on Tucker and watching him on all these sort of...."

Todd then asked the governor if he believed Kennedy was "being used."

"He’s smart enough not to be used. But he – he knows what he's doing and he's being used," Newsom said.

"But I think the utility is wearing off a little bit," Newsom added. "He can only show up on those same shows so many times. And I think he needs a second act if he's going to take on – on the president, and I have no worry about the president's success in this primary."

Kennedy launched his long-shot bid for the Democratic nomination to be president this past spring, but has faced criticism for spreading misinformation about vaccines. He and author Marianne Williamson are the high-profile Democrats challenging Biden in the primary.