Staff Reports
An independent presidential candidate, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission, accusing CNN of breaking federal campaign finance rules. The complaint alleges that CNN collaborated with the Trump and Biden campaigns to establish debate requirements that purposely excluded Kennedy from participating.
Kennedy’s campaign attorney, Lorenzo Holloway, stated that CNN’s actions amounted to making improper corporate donations to the Biden and Trump campaigns. The attorney pointed to news reports detailing the network’s collaboration with the major party candidates to set debate qualifications that effectively shut out other candidates, including Kennedy.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. files FEC complaint against CNN for barring him from Biden-Trump debatehttps://t.co/pZKGkAH1zf pic.twitter.com/H41LUj7UTI
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) May 30, 2024
CNN’s rules for debate participation mandate that candidates must secure a place on the ballot in states totaling at least 270 Electoral College votes and have reached 15% in four reputable polls by a specified date. Kennedy is in the process of qualifying for ballot access in states across the country.
A CNN spokesperson refuted the accusation, citing state laws that typically provide ballot access to nominees of state-recognized political parties without requiring petitioning. The spokesperson clarified that as an independent candidate, Kennedy does not meet this requirement.
The network also stated that Kennedy failed to meet their polling criteria, which, along with other objective criteria, were established before debate invitations were issued. Allies of the Biden and Trump campaigns are reportedly concerned about the impact of Kennedy’s independent bid on their preferred candidates.
Kennedy’s campaign centers around a blend of traditional liberal views alongside a deep skepticism of the federal government, COVID-19 vaccines, and military interventions, which resonate with supporters of former President Trump.
Furthermore, the complaint revealed a letter from the Biden campaign to the Commission on Presidential Debates, stating their preference for “one-on-one” debates against Mr. Trump. The complaint argues that this setup violates federal campaign finance laws, as debate sponsors are prohibited from favoring one candidate over another and using predetermined criteria to determine debate participation.
Overall, Kennedy’s complaint raises significant concerns about the fairness and impartiality of the debate process, with potential implications for the 2024 presidential campaign.
