(NewsNation) — Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said Wednesday that Elon Musk and NewsNation are in talks to host a potential “alternative” debate since CNN has reportedly excluded him from the first presidential debate June 27.
“We’re talking right now with NewsNation, and Elon Musk has offered us a platform on X,” Kennedy said on “CUOMO.” “Elon is now talking also with NewsNation to do a joint platform and a joint debate, an alternative debate. … That’s something we’re looking at. I’d obviously like to be on the main debate stage.”
First presidential debate requirements
CNN announced certain criteria candidates must meet in order to get on the June 27 debate stage. Each must appear on enough state ballots to reach 270 electoral votes and receive at least 15% support in four national polls.
RFK Jr. claimed Tuesday that he met the signature requirement to qualify for the ballot in New York, another key campaign advancement in a blue stronghold that could prove pivotal in the battle for the House.
The independent presidential contender collected more than the required signatures to compete in New York, according to a campaign official who announced the development Tuesday. The campaign said it delivered more than 135,000 signatures to the New York State Board of Elections.
RFK Jr. files FEC complaint over debate exclusion
The Kennedy campaign filed a complaint Tuesday with the Federal Election Commission over the debate exclusion. The independent candidate is desperately trying to appear on stage with President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. So far, however, he has yet to meet the criteria for making the cut.
The long-shot candidate is arguing those very qualifications are designed to keep him off the stage.
In his complaint, the Kennedy campaign essentially argues CNN’s debate rules amount to an illegal campaign contribution to Trump and Biden.
While he does not yet meet the criteria set by CNN, the campaign has until June 20, seven days before the debate, to do so. Kennedy will appear on the presidential ballot in seven states, and the team has collected enough signatures in nine others to total 229 electoral votes.
CNN issued a statement to NewsNation:
“The law in virtually every state provides that the nominee of a state-recognized political party be allowed ballot access without petitioning. As the presumptive nominees of their parties both Biden and Trump will satisfy this requirement,” the statement read in part. “RFK Jr. does not currently meet our polling criteria, which, like the other objective criteria, were set before issuing invitations to the debate.”
The FEC declined a NewsNation request to comment.
NewsNation’s Tom Dempsey and Evan Lambert contributed to this report.