RFK Jr. calls exclusion from CNN’s Atlanta presidential debate ‘un-American and cowardly’ – WSB-TV Channel 2

“Presidents Biden and Trump do not want me on the debate stage and CNN illegally agreed to their request. My exclusion by Presidents Biden and Trump is undemocratic, un-American and cowardly. Americans want an independent leader who will break the two-party duopoly. They want a president who will heal the divisions, restore the middle class, relax the war machine and end the chronic disease epidemic,” Kennedy said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Although he is not qualified, his legal challenge against the network is moving forward. Last month, Kennedy filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission “alleging that the CNN debate violated campaign finance law because the network ‘colluded’ with the Biden and Trump campaigns in planning of the debate and uses different ballot access rules for the two main media outlets. party contenders compared to Kennedy,” ABC News reported.

Both the Biden and Trump campaigns fear that Kennedy could play a disruptive role in what is expected to be a close general election.

You can watch CNN’s presidential debate simulcast LIVE on Channel 2 starting at 9 a.m. on June 27.

Under criteria established by CNN, candidates would be invited to participate in the debate if they earned a spot on the ballot in states with at least 270 Electoral College votes, the minimum required to win the presidency.

Biden and Trump easily crossed the ballot threshold, but will not be certified for the ballot until their parties formally nominate them later this summer. Both secured enough delegates to secure their nomination.

Kennedy’s campaign says he met the requirements to appear on the ballot in 22 states, with a total of 310 electoral votes, although not all said his name would be included. California, the biggest draw on the electoral map with 54 votes, will not certify any candidates until August 29.

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Candidates also had to reach a 15% threshold in four reliable national polls by June 20, another benchmark Kennedy failed to meet according to CNN. According to the network, Kennedy has received at least 15% in three qualifying polls so far and is currently on the voting rolls in six states, making him currently eligible for 89 Electoral College votes.

CNN said the complaint was baseless. Kennedy’s campaign did not immediately respond to a message Thursday seeking comment on CNN’s announcement and asking whether he plans to take further action regarding his exclusion.

Last month, Biden and Trump agreed to the debate on CNN and a second Sept. 10 hosted by ABC, bypassing the nonpartisan commission that has held the debates for nearly four decades.

After winning a coin toss, Biden’s campaign chose the correct podium position, meaning he will be on the right side of viewers’ screens, with Trump on the left, according to CNN. The Trump campaign then chose to deliver its final statement after Biden.

Both campaigns have agreed to appear on the podiums, and the microphones will be muted, except for the candidate whose turn it is to speak.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.

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