CNN’s reputation has been questioned by politicians, particularly Republicans, for years. But now the news outlet is about to face the consequences of their poor reputation.
As this presidential candidate has launched an all-out assault on CNN that could shut down the network.
Donald Trump and Joe Biden are set to debate for the first time this week.
It’ll be the first time in four years that the two have shared a debate stage, and the contest will be hosted on CNN.
But not everyone involved in this year’s presidential election is looking forward to the two candidates duking it out on stage.
Because as Trump and Biden engage in their highly anticipated debate on Thursday, independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. plans to challenge them virtually.
Kennedy Jr.’s son, Bobby Kennedy III, announced that the campaign would stage its own virtual debate.
Speaking in front of a cardboard cutout of his grandfather, Bobby said, “Our plan is to hold our own debate. I’m not gonna say exactly how we’re gonna do it, but we’ll have the other two candidates up there as well, say what they say live, and we’re gonna give my dad a chance to respond live.”
Nicole Shanahan, Kennedy’s running mate, confirmed the plan, adding, “Okay, cat’s out of the bag! If you don’t want to watch the CNN fake debate Thursday, we’ve got you covered. Plus a few surprises. Stay tuned.”
The announcement follows a series of social media and livestream appearances by Kennedy and his campaign, in an effort to reach voters in a non-traditional way. Unlike Trump and Biden, who have relied on a mix of traditional rallies and public appearances, Kennedy has leveraged digital platforms to engage with the electorate.
Last week, Kennedy hosted a TikTok Live town hall, answering questions from creators and discussing his campaign.
This event was organized with the help of Tiffany Cianci, who has previously worked with Green Party candidate Jill Stein and Libertarian candidate Chase Oliver.
The Washington Examiner reached out to the Kennedy campaign for confirmation of Thursday’s plans but received no response. The campaign has been vocal about its exclusion from the official debate, criticizing CNN for their decision.
“Presidents Biden and Trump do not want me on the debate stage, and CNN illegally agreed to their demand,” Kennedy said. “My exclusion by Presidents Biden and Trump from the debate is undemocratic, un-American, and cowardly. Americans want an independent leader who will break apart the two-party duopoly. They want a President who will heal the divide, restore the middle class, unwind the war machine, and end the chronic disease epidemic.”
While Biden and Trump are set to debate in Georgia, the Kennedy campaign plans to hold multiple rallies and protests on the same day in locations such as Boston and outside the White House.
The Kennedy campaign has also launched a petition on its website to include him in the debates, which has garnered over 219,000 signatures.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has ran an admirable campaign thus far for a third-party candidate.
But let’s face it, he has practically no path to winning the presidency this year.
Kennedy is hoping, however, that this alternative to the CNN debate will provide him with necessary momentum to perhaps make a better challenge for the White House in this year’s presidential election.
Stay tuned to The Federalist Wire.
