- Donald Trump Jr. lashed out at Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in an interview with Newsmax on Thursday evening
- Trump Jr. called the independent presidential candidate ‘not a conservative’, saying Kennedy could draw some voters away from former President Donald Trump
- The former first son argued that the only reason Kennedy has captured the interest of voters on the right is his prominent anti-vaccination positions.
Donald Trump Jr. went on a rant Thursday as he discussed independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, who could take votes away from his father in November’s general election.
The 46-year-old former first son told Newsmax’s Eric Bolling that Kennedy “is not a conservative,” as the son of Robert F. Kennedy and nephew of President John F. Kennedy switched from running for president as a Democrat to an independent.
Trump Jr. argued that the only reason Kennedy has captured the interest of voters on the right is because of his prominent anti-vaccination positions.
“RFK is a radical liberal who happens to be anti-vax. That may be the only policy in which he is somewhat right. But he was for open borders all his life. He is against farmers. He was a radical environmentalist. He was super anti-gun,” Trump Jr. said.
Trump Jr. indicated that he did not believe Kennedy suddenly changed his mind on every major issue.
Donald Trump Jr. went on a rant Thursday night as he discussed independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, who could pull votes away from his father, former President Donald Trump, in the November general election.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. launched an independent presidential bid in October after initially entering the race as a Democrat. If he becomes the Libertarian Party’s nominee, his name could appear on every state’s ballot and he could siphon support from both parties.
‘He said he had changed his mind. Has he changed his mind about everything he’s done for decades? Everything? Magical, six months ago? I don’t believe that,” Trump Jr. said.
The younger Trump argued that anti-vaccination was “not enough” to attract conservative voters.
“I think he’s a great alternative as a Democrat, you know, maybe if people want to vote that way,” Trump Jr. said.
Trump Jr. also pointed out the efforts Kennedy has explored to be the Libertarian Party candidate on the ticket.
If Kennedy gets the Libertarian Party nomination, it will mean his name will more easily be placed on the ballot in all fifty states.
Independent candidates have not been successful in presidential politics due to ballot access issues, as it often takes time and resources to get your name on the ballot.
The Libertarian Party will choose a presidential candidate at a national convention held over Memorial Day weekend this year.
“I see he’s trying to get libertarians now. Again, he’s anti-vax, but literally anything else wouldn’t be libertarian,” Trump Jr. scoffed.
“It’s all part of the machine to stop Trump,” the former first son added.
Kennedy, who is married to actress Cheryl Hines, initially announced he would run for president as a Democrat – the party his famous family is associated with – but changed tactics in October and launched an independent bid instead.
That meant he didn’t have to defeat incumbent President Joe Biden in the Democratic primaries, but it did mean getting his name on every state’s general election ballot.
Polls show Kennedy is drawing supporters away from both Trump and Biden, as a majority of Americans in 2024 have indicated they do not want a 2020 rematch.
Despite this, both Biden and Trump, who continues to be challenged by former UN official. Nikki Haley appears to be on track to win their parties’ respective nominations.