Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ripped into Joe Biden and Donald Trump after CNN announced it would host a debate between the Republican and Democrat candidates.
In response to the news, the independent candidate suggested that denying him access to the debates is a knock against democracy, even going as far as accusing the two of “colluding” against him.
“Presidents Trump and Biden are colluding to lock America into a head-to-head match-up that 70% say they do not want,” Kennedy Jr. wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “They are trying to exclude me from their debate because they are afraid I would win. Keeping viable candidates off the debate stage undermines democracy.”
“By excluding me from the stage, Presidents Biden and Trump seek to avoid discussion of their eight years of mutual failure including deficits, wars, lockdowns, chronic disease, and inflation,” Kennedy Jr. wrote after the debate was confirmed.
The independent candidate was not explicitly barred from the debate. According to CNN, candidates simply need to meet the criteria for the debate. At this time, only Biden and Trump have qualified. Those qualifications include being on enough state ballots to realistically be able to earn 270 electoral votes and hitting 15% in four national polls.
Biden campaign communications director Michael Tyler was asked on Wednesday by CNN’s Jake Tapper if Kennedy Jr. should make the debate stage in September if he’s qualified. Tyler said the “reality” is only Biden or Trump can win the election.
“The American people deserve to hear from them because that is the reality we are facing,” he said. “That’s the choice in this election, so we should have a debate between the two candidates.”
YES, they should allow Kennedy Jr to participate in the debates! Not a big deal