RFK Jr. files FEC complaint against CNN over upcoming Biden, Trump debate
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Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaking in Washington, D.C., on May 24.
Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) against CNN and the campaigns of President Biden and former President Trump over their debate next month.
Why it matters: Kennedy's campaign claimed in the complaint that it is being held to "different" criteria to participate in the debate in violation of election laws.
Zoom in: CNN said candidates must get on enough state ballots to add up to 270 electoral votes and hit 15% in four quality national polls to qualify for the Atlanta debate.
- Kennedy is close to meeting the polling requirement after three recent polls and has until June 20 to hit 15% in a fourth.
- However, he is far from meeting the electoral vote requirement.
Between the lines: Kennedy's complaint centers on the fact that Biden and Trump have not yet qualified for enough ballots either. The difference is they are the two presumptive nominees of state-recognized parties.
- Generally, such candidates do not have to petition the state to appear on ballots after they are nominated, meaning its extremely likely Trump and Biden will satisfy the criteria once they are officially nominated in July and August, respectively.
- Because Kennedy is running as an independent, he will have to petition to appear on the ballot and be granted access from the top election official in each state.
What they're saying: "By demanding our campaign meet different criteria to participate in the debate than Presidents Biden and Trump, CNN's debate violates FEC law and is a large prohibited corporate contribution to both the Biden and Trump campaigns," Kennedy said in a statement Wednesday.
The other side: A CNN spokesperson told Axios in a statement: "The law in virtually every state provides that the nominee of a state-recognized political party will be allowed ballot access without petitioning."
- "As the presumptive nominees of their parties both Biden and Trump will satisfy this requirement. As an independent candidate, under applicable laws RFK, Jr. does not," the spokesperson said, also noting that Kennedy does not satisfy the polling requirement.
Go deeper: Patrick Kennedy endorses Biden over Robert Kennedy Jr.
