Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. says he's 'in discussion' with CNN to join debate stage: 'I qualify for the debates'
Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr responds to questions about his debate eligibility, why he is a viable alternative to Trump or Biden and his fight to receive Secret Service protection.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s fight to join the presidential debate stage is far from over, he told Fox News' Maria Bartiromo on Sunday, as he insists his team is "in discussion" with CNN to make sure he appears alongside President Biden and former President Donald Trump.
"CNN published a list of criteria for candidates getting in, and we have shown CNN that we meet all of those criteria and that President Trump and President Biden cannot meet those criteria," he said this week on "Sunday Morning Futures."
"One of the two key criteria, is that every candidate has be on ballots in enough states to get 270 electoral votes by June 20, and we will qualify for that. President Trump and President Biden cannot qualify for that because they don't have any electoral votes at this time. They are presumptive nominees for their party. They themselves are not on the ballot, and I will be the only one on the ballot," he continued.
RFK JR. SAYS HE'LL DEBATE BIDEN, TRUMP MOMENTS AFTER PRESIDENT LAUGHS HIM OFF
Independent Presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks during a campaign rally at Legends Event Center on December 20, 2023, in Phoenix, Arizona. (Rebecca Noble/Getty Images)
Kennedy also highlighted the second criterion that candidates must reach 15% in four separate national polls that CNN will take into account.
His team has presented the outlet with five national polls, he said, specifically mentioning a Harvard-Harris poll, a Monmouth poll, the Quinnipiac poll, and a recent CNN poll that showed he meets the 15% threshold.
"So I qualify for the debates," he said, noting that his team is currently in discussion with the network.
BILL MAHER TELLS RFK JR.: I HOPE YOU'RE IN THE DEBATES,' BUT QUESTIONS PATH TO THE WHITE HOUSE
Former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden are slated to face off in at least two presidential debates before November's election. (Getty Images)
"We'll be on the ballot… we have enough signatures today for 201 electoral votes. By the end of the month, we'll be at 340," he added later.
The Democrat-turned-Independent also outlined his stances on key issues set to determine the outcome of this November's highly anticipated race, including the economy, abortion and border security.
‘AFRAID I WOULD WIN': RFK JR. ACCUSES OPPONENTS OF ‘COLLUDING’ TO EXCLUDE HIM FROM DEBATES
Campaign memorabilia for Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., is for sale in Boston, Massachusetts, on April 19, 2023. Kennedy insists he is eligible to face off against Trump and Biden on the debate stage. (JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP via Getty Images)
On immigration, he insisted he would shut down the border overnight and would be willing to deport "a lot" of those living in the U.S. illegally, but specified that he did not want to tear apart families.
He blamed unchecked government spending for 40-year-high inflation, arguing that neither Trump nor Biden has adequately addressed the issue. He also clarified his stance on abortion, stating that he supports a woman's right to an abortion until the baby reaches viability and the government "has an interest in protecting that child."
