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Since Robert F. Kennedy Jr. entered the 2024 presidential race in April 2023, he’s been called everything under the sun by his critics. At first, President Joe Biden and the Democratic National Committee (DNC) just brushed him off. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump had kind words, calling Kennedy a “brilliant guy and a good guy.”
However, things took a dramatic turn last October when Kennedy decided to ditch the Democratic primary and run independently. With less than six months to go before Election Day, Kennedy’s campaign is gaining steam, and both Biden and Trump camps are feeling the heat. Kennedy may be trailing in the polls, but he’s got support from a mix of conservatives, independents, moderate Democrats, and libertarians.
And with that, the mudslinging has kicked into high gear. President Trump, in an early April video on Truth Social, labeled Kennedy “the most radical left candidate in the race” while also admitting he liked some things about him. Trump suggested Kennedy would siphon votes from Biden, calling him “much better than Biden.”
“If I were a Democrat, I’d vote for RFK Jr. every single time over Biden,” Trump said, claiming Kennedy’s candidacy was “great for MAGA” and that he’s “a better man than Joe Biden.”
However, Trump’s tone shifted sharply later in April. He called Kennedy “a Democrat plant” and a “radical left liberal” aiming to help Biden win re-election. Trump warned that a vote for Kennedy would be a “WASTED PROTEST VOTE,” accusing him of being anti-gun, an extreme environmentalist, a big taxer, an open border advocate, and anti-military.
Kennedy’s presence is stirring the pot. A Quinnipiac University poll showed 44% of Republican voters viewed Kennedy favorably, compared to only 11% of Democrats. Speaking to various media outlets, Kennedy said Trump’s attacks have ramped up because “I’m a threat to his presidency.” He declared, “This is a three-man race, and I intend to win.”
Democrats accuse Kennedy of being a “stalking horse” for Trump, funded by MAGA donors to derail Biden’s re-election. Republicans paint him as a far-left radical trying to block Trump’s return to the White House. The DNC and pro-Biden groups are throwing everything they’ve got to keep Kennedy off the ballot in all 50 states and D.C.
Earlier this year, the DNC created a team to combat third-party and independent candidates, hiring veteran strategist Lis Smith to lead the charge. They’ve filed complaints with the Federal Election Commission against American Values 2024, the pro-Kennedy super PAC, alleging federal campaign finance law violations.
The DNC’s aggressive tactics emphasize their concern about Biden’s falling approval ratings and questions about his mental fitness. They claim Kennedy’s candidacy is a Trump-backed ploy, pointing to similarities in their positions on issues like border security and vaccine mandates.
Lis Smith declared, “It’s clear that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is being propped up and funded by Donald Trump and his allies because they believe he’s a useful stalking horse who could throw the election Trump’s way.”
Kennedy, on the other hand, calls out the hypocrisy of Democrats. At a rally in West Des Moines, Iowa, he said, “The Democratic Party is supposed to be about democracy, yet they’re subverting it to stop Trump.”
Biden has stayed quiet on Kennedy’s campaign but welcomed the endorsement of around 15 family members. However, some family members also support Kennedy, including his daughter-in-law Amaryllis Fox Kennedy, who manages his campaign.
As Kennedy pushes for ballot access in all 50 states, his campaign reports they’ve already qualified in 15 states. A recent poll by McLaughlin & Associates showed that Trump led with 38% support, Biden at 36%, Kennedy at 11%, Cornel West at 3%, and Jill Stein at 2%.
Kennedy sees his campaign as a movement against the entrenched two-party system. “Neither President Trump nor President Biden can end polarization because they thrive on it,” he told the media.
Kennedy has challenged Trump to debate him at the Libertarian Party’s national convention. As he fights to stay on ballots and gain traction, he knows the criticism from both sides will only intensify. However, Kennedy remains steadfast, aiming to “spoil the election for President Biden and President Trump” by winning the White House himself.
The battle is on, and Kennedy is here to stay, shaking up the 2024 presidential race in ways no one saw coming.