Independent presidential candidate Robert F Kennedy Jr has made headlines with his controversial statement that President Joe Biden poses a larger threat to democracy than former president Donald Trump. In an interview with CNN’s Erin Burnett, Mr Kennedy argued that the Biden administration’s actions in censoring misinformation on social media platforms violate the First Amendment.
According to Mr Kennedy, the Biden administration’s efforts to pressure social media companies to combat misinformation are more dangerous than Mr Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 election. He specifically pointed to a recent lawsuit at the Supreme Court where several states accused the government of overstepping its authority in asking social media companies to block or remove misinformation about Covid-19, vaccines, and the election.
Mr Kennedy, known for spreading anti-vaccine conspiracy theories, claimed that his own Instagram account was suspended in 2021 for sharing debunked claims about Covid-19 and vaccines. He believes that he was targeted due to his political status and was denied secret service protection by President Biden.
Despite acknowledging the threat of Mr Trump trying to overturn the election, Mr Kennedy firmly believes that President Biden’s actions pose a greater danger to democracy. He campaigns on the importance of the First Amendment and portrays himself as a victim of government overreach.
Critics have accused Mr Kennedy of promoting conspiracy theories and using his family name to gain support for his campaign. His controversial statements and actions continue to spark debate and draw attention to the ongoing battle between free speech and misinformation in the digital age.