Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has released a new 30-minute promotional video titled 'Who Is Bobby Kennedy?' that highlights his life and environmental activism. The film has gained significant attention, amassing over 20 million views across multiple platforms. However, users attempting to share the film on Facebook and Instagram have encountered difficulties. Meta, the parent company of these platforms, initially prevented users from uploading the video, citing reasons such as spam, graphic content, and violations of community standards. This perceived censorship has sparked widespread condemnation, with users sharing screenshots of the censorship notifications. Meta later changed its approach, allowing uploads but suppressing the video algorithmically. Additionally, users who attempted to post the video had their accounts suspended. The campaign behind the film is considering legal action and hopes to generate public backlash against Meta's actions [a59e3170].
Kennedy's video and the subsequent censorship by Meta have ignited accusations of election interference. Critics argue that the suppression of the film limits the public's access to information about Kennedy and his campaign, potentially influencing the election. The censorship has drawn attention to the broader issue of social media platforms' power to control the flow of information and the potential impact on democratic processes [a59e3170].
It is worth noting that Kennedy has been a vocal critic of President Biden's censorship efforts and has accused him of weaponizing federal agencies to remove political opponents from the ballot. Kennedy alleges that Biden coerced social media companies into censorship by leveraging anti-trust cases and the withdrawal of Section 230 immunity. He warns that these actions pose a 'genuine threat to our democracy' and calls for a national debate on the issue [3c6269f3].
Kennedy's campaign has also focused on economic messaging, particularly targeting younger voters. He has accused the Biden administration of 'gaslighting' younger voters by presenting a positive image of the economy that he claims does not align with the reality faced by the Millennial generation. Kennedy has criticized the use of TikTok influencers to promote positive stories about Biden's economic stewardship, likening it to propaganda and drawing comparisons to Soviet practices [cd892ead]. Recent polls indicate that Kennedy is leading among voters aged 18 to 29 in key battleground states. However, a significant portion of young voters remain undecided about their candidate of choice for the 2024 election, according to a survey by the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) [cd892ead]. Kennedy emphasizes the importance of engaging with younger voters on platforms like TikTok, which have become dominant among Gen Z and younger millennials [cd892ead].
Historians and experts have criticized Kennedy's claim that Biden poses a greater threat to democracy than Trump. They argue that Trump violated fundamental democratic principles, while Biden has not. Some experts have also expressed concerns about Trump's authoritarian rhetoric and its potential impact on democracy. Allies of President Biden are worried that Kennedy's criticism could affect the president's chances of re-election and are intensifying efforts to counter third-party bids [cfdce5d9].
Kennedy's controversial video, along with his ongoing criticism of Biden's censorship efforts, has sparked a broader debate on free speech and government regulation. While some social media users have criticized the video, others have praised Kennedy for speaking out against what they perceive as censorship and a threat to democracy. The video adds to the ongoing discourse surrounding Kennedy's campaign and his efforts to engage with younger voters on platforms like TikTok [d8d6f82e] [a59e3170].