Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a member of the prominent Kennedy political dynasty and now an independent candidate, has issued a public challenge to former President Donald Trump for a debate at the upcoming Libertarian National Convention set to start on May 24 in Washington, D.C. Kennedy extended this invitation through a post on the social media platform X, suggesting that the debate would demonstrate to the American public that major candidates are not afraid to directly engage with each other. He remarked, “I asked the convention organizers and they are game for us to use our time there to bring the American people the debate they deserve!”
Dear President Trump,
I’m grateful to you for calling attention to the rigged polling methodologies that biased DNC-influenced media have used against you. We have this concern too, and I’m happy to show you the deceptive methodologies used by DNC-allied pollsters who pretend…
— Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) May 7, 2024
Trump, however, has previously dismissed the notion of debating Kennedy, whom he does not view as a serious contender. Kennedy taunted Trump by saying, “You yourself have said you’re not afraid to debate me as long as my poll numbers are decent. Well, they are.”
Kennedy’s shift from the Democratic party to independent status has stirred concerns among both Trump’s camp and Biden’s allies. Trump supporters worry that Kennedy could siphon votes that might otherwise go to Trump. Conversely, Biden’s supporters fear that Kennedy’s candidacy could fragment the Democratic vote.
Trump has not shied away from criticizing Kennedy, recently lambasting him on Truth Social by labeling him “the dumbest member of the Kennedy Clan” and disparaging his environmental and public health positions as radical.
While Trump may view a debate with Kennedy as beneath him, given his extensive background in business, reality television, and politics, engaging with Kennedy could prove politically strategic.