Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Tuesday called on former President Donald Trump to debate him at the Libertarian Party's convention later this month, calling the event "perfect neutral territory" for them to face each other.
"I’d like to make you an offer," Kennedy posted on X. "We’re both going to be speaking at the upcoming Libertarian convention on May 24 and 25. It’s perfect neutral territory for you and me to have a debate where you can defend your record for your wavering supporters … let’s meet in a couple of weeks and show the American public that at least two of the major candidates aren’t afraid to debate each other."
Kennedy had at one point in his campaign for the White House considered joining the Libertarian Party after dropping out of the race as a Democrat, and both have been invited to speak at the party's convention. The Libertarian Party also invited President Joe Biden to speak, but he declined to take the stage.
Kennedy, in his post Tuesday, pointed out to Trump that he's said he is "not afraid to debate me as long as my poll numbers are decent."
"Well, they are," he added. "In fact, I’m the only presidential candidate in history who has polled ahead of both major party candidates in head-to-head races."
Kennedy noted in a poll his campaign did with Zogby, both he and Trump defeated Biden in head-to-head matchups, but he told Trump that "I beat you in a nail-biter."
Kennedy added that he's "coming up strong" in a three-way fight, as well.
"Two new polls [CNN and Quinnipiac] have me above the 15% debate threshold," he said. "Another [ActiVote] has me at 26% among young voters, and you and I are tied among America’s 70 million independents."
Trump's campaign has not responded to a Newsmax request for comment, nor has Kennedy's when asked if the same invitation to debate will be extended to Biden.
Kennedy and running mate Nicole Shanahan are on the ballot officially in three states, Utah, Michigan, and California, and have collected enough signatures to be on the ballots in seven other states, New Hampshire, Nevada, Hawaii, North Carolina, Idaho, Nebraska, and Iowa.
Sandy Fitzgerald ✉
Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics.
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