Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is challenging former President Donald Trump to debate him at the Libertarian National Convention later this month.
“Let’s meet at the Libertarian convention and show the American public that at least two of the major candidates aren’t afraid to debate each other,” Mr. Kennedy said Tuesday on X. “I asked the convention organizers and they are game for us to use our time there to bring the American people the debate they deserve!”
Mr. Trump and Mr. Kennedy are set to address the four-day Libertarian National Convention that kicks off in Washington on May 24.
Mr. Trump recently scoffed at the idea of facing off with Mr. Kennedy, telling reporters he is “not a serious candidate.”
Mr. Kennedy, however, said his polling found he easily defeated President Biden and won a “nailbiter” against Mr. Trump in hypothetical general election matchups.
Mr. Kennedy said Mr. Trump was ahead in a three-way race “but I am coming on strong.”
“You yourself have said you’re not afraid to debate me as long as my poll numbers are decent. Well, they are,” Mr. Kennedy said. “In fact, I’m the only presidential candidate in history who has polled ahead of both major party candidates in head-to-head races.”
The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
A Democrat-turned-independent scion of one of the nation’s most storied political families, Mr. Kennedy stokes concerns among Mr. Trump and his followers that he could win enough votes to swing the election toward Mr. Biden.
Mr. Biden’s allies, meanwhile, are worried he could hurt the Democrat’s chances of reelection.
Mr. Kennedy has carved out a niche in the race.
The 70-year-old environmental lawyer has gained the attention of anti-vax activists and vaccine skeptics and also won high praise from MAGA loyalists over his pledge to investigate the prosecution of the pro-Trump mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
Mr. Trump has taken note.
He has sharpened his criticism of Mr. Kennedy and conservative-friendly news outlets that give him a platform to spread his message.
“So bad that FoxNews puts RFK Jr., considered the dumbest member of the Kennedy Clan, on their fairly conservative platform so much,” Mr. Trump said on Truth Social last week. “Competitive networks don’t want anything to do with him.”
“He’s a Radical Left Lunatic whose crazy Climate Change views make the Democrat’s Green New Scam look Conservative,” he said. Republicans, don’t waste your precious vote on this phony Liberal Activist.”