Trump said he has ‘no problem’ debating Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Here’s why

Joe Biden and Donald Trump are gearing up for their first 2024 presidential debate in June, but Trump has indicated that he’s open to sharing the stage with another contender: independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

However, some critics caution that Kennedy, an environmental lawyer and vaccine opponent, could potentially disrupt the general election by siphoning votes away from the two main candidates. Both the Trump and Biden campaigns view Kennedy as a potential political threat.

In a recent interview with Scripps News, Trump expressed readiness to debate Kennedy if he meets the qualifying criteria. Yet, political scientists and experts suggest that Kennedy’s presence, as an anti-establishment figure, could disrupt Biden’s messaging to voters and potentially benefit Trump.

To qualify for the CNN-hosted debate, candidates must meet specific criteria, including appearing on a sufficient number of state ballots and achieving at least 15% in four qualifying national polls before the eligibility deadline.

Kennedy’s campaign has secured ballot access in six states so far, but his polling averages fall below the 15% threshold in most national polls. It remains uncertain whether he will meet the criteria by mid-June.

Adding a third candidate like Kennedy complicates Biden’s strategy of framing the election as a referendum on Trump. Aaron Kall, director of the debate program at the University of Michigan, suggests that introducing a third candidate disrupts this narrative.

Experts also highlight the potential impact of Kennedy’s presence on the debate stage. While some draw comparisons to Ross Perot’s participation in the 1992 debates, others question Kennedy’s ability to communicate effectively compared to Perot.

However, Kennedy could still pose a significant challenge to Biden. Matthew Schmidt, an associate professor of political science, suggests that Kennedy’s anti-establishment stance may resonate with younger Democratic-leaning voters, potentially undermining Biden’s support base.

Furthermore, Kennedy’s views and criticisms of Biden could create a “none of the above” effect among voters or draw support away from the Democratic candidate, ultimately benefiting Trump.

Kennedy’s participation in the debate could also undermine Biden’s messaging on the Jan. 6 Capitol attack, which Democrats have emphasized as a central theme of their campaign.

While Kennedy may draw support from both sides, experts suggest that his tendency towards conspiracy theories may resonate more with Trump’s base. This could complicate Biden’s efforts to frame the election as a choice between himself and Trump.

Overall, Kennedy’s presence on the debate stage introduces additional complexities and uncertainties for both Biden and Trump as they navigate the dynamics of the upcoming election.