Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has sparked controversy with his presidential campaign pledge not to take sides on the September 11 terrorist attacks, highlighting the prevalence of conspiracy theories amid widespread mistrust of government narratives. In a statement posted on X, Kennedy questioned the official account of 9/11 while committing to prioritize transparency if elected president.
This stance emerged amidst heightened scrutiny of his candidacy, including allegations of misconduct reported by Vanity Fair, and concerns that his campaign could influence the outcome of the election by drawing votes away from major candidates like Joe Biden and Donald Trump in crucial states.
Kennedy's assertion that he remains "agnostic" on 9/11, alongside other contentious issues like UFOs and related matters, underscores his focus on promoting transparency in government. He pointed to recent revelations from a CBS 60 Minutes report detailing how a Saudi intelligence agent had filmed locations in Washington just months before the attacks, which has fueled ongoing litigation by families of 9/11 victims against the Saudi government.
Despite his notable family legacy—being the son of Robert F. Kennedy, the assassinated New York senator, and nephew of President John F. Kennedy—Kennedy's campaign has struggled to gain traction. Polling at less than 10% nationally, he faces criticism for disseminating misinformation on topics such as COVID-19, vaccine safety, and controversial claims linking antidepressants to school shootings or suggesting chemicals in water affect children's gender identities.
The recent presidential debate on June 27, marked by a lackluster performance from Biden and Trump's barrage of misleading statements, did little to bolster Kennedy's standing. A HarrisX/Forbes poll indicated that only 18% of voters were more likely to consider a third-party candidate post-debate, reflecting the challenge faced by lesser-known candidates like RFK Jr. in capturing significant voter share.
"Dritan Nesho, CEO of HarrisX, commented, 'These voters aren’t yet seriously considering RFK Jr. or other third-party candidates, as none of the tickets have gained enough prominence to capture a substantial portion of the vote according to current polling.'"
Kennedy's campaign continues amidst these challenges, his controversial statements and familial connections keeping him in the spotlight even as the election cycle progresses.
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