Robert Kennedy answered debate questions during rival event

Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was not present at the debate in Atlanta with his opponents, President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. However, Kennedy responded in real-time to the same questions on inflation, COVID-19 response, and abortion that were posed to Biden and Trump in a unique livestream on the social platform X. Host John Stossel kept Kennedy’s answers within the strict time constraints imposed on the other candidates.

Standing alone on a stage in Los Angeles, Kennedy kicked off his event, called The Real Debate, by accusing CNN, the host of the main debate, of colluding with the Republican and Democratic parties to exclude him. Kennedy emphasized the importance of challenging the perceived rigging of the system that many Americans feel exists.

Despite not being on the main debate stage or having any public events scheduled in the near future, Kennedy, along with his running mate Nicole Shanahan, has been actively participating in various political rallies, fundraisers, and non-traditional campaign events. Currently, Kennedy appears to be taking a break after a busy spring.

For Thursday’s debate, CNN invited candidates who demonstrated strength in reliable polls and had ballot access in enough states to potentially win the presidency. Kennedy did not meet these criteria and has raised concerns about the rules, accusing CNN of collusion in a complaint to the FEC.

Kennedy’s absence from the debate and campaign trail presents challenges for his unconventional campaign to disrupt the dominance of the two major U.S. political parties. While lacking the financial resources for extensive TV commercials, Kennedy must allocate his limited funds to secure ballot access and maintain relevance through media coverage.

Though facing obstacles, Kennedy remains active on social media and continues to engage in interviews to raise awareness about his candidacy and platform. His team plans to announce public events for July soon, including a major rally on the East Coast.