The sources say Ethel, who will celebrate her 96th birthday on April 11, is 'the force behind the family's decision' to support Joe Biden for a second term over her 70-year-old son's run as a lifelong-Democrat turned independent.

'After all these years, Ethel's negative feelings toward Bobby haven't changed one iota,' a longtime confidant of the presidential hopeful tells DailyMail.com.

'And knowing how she feels about Bobby, most of the rest of the family have refused to support his presidential run.'

The latest snub for the presidential candidate – 'based on Ethel's wishes', asserts another insider – came when the Irish-American clan gathered at the White House this month to celebrate St. Patrick's Day with President Joe Biden.