RFK Jr.’s campaign has filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission accusing CNN, President Biden, former President Donald Trump, and their campaigns of violating federal election law. The Kennedy campaign claims that CNN is applying different debate criteria for Kennedy, an independent candidate, compared to Trump and Biden, the presumed nominees of their parties. The campaign alleges that the debate being held in Atlanta on June 27 is an illegal campaign contribution to both Biden and Trump. The campaign is asking the FEC to find the parties in violation of the Federal Election Campaign Act and prevent them from participating in the debate.
CNN’s debate criteria require a candidate to have sufficient ballot access and reach at least 15% in four major national polls by June 20. Kennedy has not met these criteria yet, but the campaign argues that since Trump and Biden have not officially been nominated, they are not eligible for any electoral votes. Candidates still have time to meet the qualifications, and Kennedy believes he may qualify in some states. However, CNN has defended its qualification rules, stating that the law in most states allows the nominee of a state-recognized political party to be on the ballot without petitioning, which both Biden and Trump will satisfy. Kennedy, as an independent candidate, does not currently meet the polling criteria set by CNN.
Both the Biden and Trump campaigns have agreed to participate in debates on other networks, with Biden accepting an invitation for a vice-presidential debate, and Trump having yet to respond to an invitation. The Kennedy campaign’s complaint against CNN, Biden, and Trump underscores the contentious nature of the upcoming presidential debates. RFK Jr.’s campaign’s argument that CNN’s criteria are unfair and discriminatory towards independent candidates raises questions about the rules governing who can participate in the debates and how they are determined.
The disagreement highlights the complexities of organizing presidential debates, especially in a race where an independent candidate is seeking to participate alongside major party nominees. As the Kennedy campaign pushes back against CNN’s criteria, it brings attention to the issue of inclusivity in the electoral process and the power dynamics between major media outlets, political parties, and independent candidates. The outcome of this dispute could set a precedent for future debates and how candidates outside the two-party system are treated.
Kathryn Watson, a politics reporter for CBS News Digital, is covering the controversy surrounding RFK Jr.’s campaign complaint against CNN, Biden, and Trump. Her reporting sheds light on the legal and procedural challenges facing independent candidates like Kennedy when trying to participate in high-stakes political events like presidential debates. The Kennedy campaign’s call for the FEC to intervene in the debate process reflects a broader debate within the political sphere about fairness, transparency, and access to the electoral system. As the election season progresses, the resolution of this dispute could have far-reaching implications for how future debates are conducted and how candidates from outside the major parties are included in the political discourse.
