Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s presidential campaign recently made headlines after terminating a contract with a vendor responsible for a controversial fundraising email. The email in question referred to individuals facing charges for the Jan. 6 insurrection as 'activists' who were 'stripped of their constitutional liberties.' This language drew parallels to former President Donald Trump's narrative surrounding the Capitol attack.
The campaign spokesperson clarified that the statement in the email did not align with Mr. Kennedy's views and was mistakenly included by a new marketing contractor. As a result, the campaign decided to sever ties with the vendor in question, although the contractor's identity was not disclosed.
The fundraising email, titled 'We Must Free Assange!' advocated for the release of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who is currently facing extradition charges related to the publication of classified documents. The email also highlighted a recent British court ruling that stated Assange cannot be extradited unless the U.S. provides assurances against the death penalty.
In a separate incident, Kennedy sparked controversy by suggesting that President Joe Biden poses a greater threat to democracy than Trump. He argued that Biden's use of federal agencies to censor political speech makes him a significant concern for democracy.
Kennedy, running as an independent presidential candidate, aims to secure ballot access across multiple states, leveraging his well-known family name and anti-establishment stance. While Utah has officially recognized his candidacy, other states are yet to confirm his eligibility. Kennedy's candidacy has garnered attention from supporters disillusioned with the two major parties, causing unease among both Biden and Trump supporters.
Despite facing significant challenges as a third-party candidate, Kennedy remains optimistic about his chances in key swing states like Arizona, Nevada, Georgia, and North Carolina. His campaign continues to gather signatures in hopes of expanding his presence on the ballot.