Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has released a new 30-minute promotional video that has generated mixed reactions. The video opens with Kennedy reading criticisms of himself, including statements like 'He's nuts and clearly disturbed' and 'Kennedy is a humorless bully living in a paranoid fantasy.' The rest of the video is narrated by actor Woody Harrelson, who portrays Kennedy as an environmentalist and outdoorsman fighting against corporate interests. Some social media users have called it the worst political ad ever made [d8d6f82e].
Kennedy's video comes after his recent criticism of President Biden's censorship efforts. Kennedy claims that Biden poses a greater threat to democracy than Donald Trump and accuses him of weaponizing federal agencies to remove opponents from the ballot. Kennedy also alleges that Biden coerced social media companies into censorship by threatening anti-trust cases and the withdrawal of Section 230 immunity. He warns that Biden's actions are a 'genuine threat to our democracy' and calls for a national debate on the issue [3c6269f3].
In addition to his criticism of Biden, Kennedy has also been vocal about the administration's economic messaging. He accuses the Biden administration of 'gaslighting' younger voters by presenting a positive image of the economy that he claims doesn't align with the reality faced by the Millennial generation. Kennedy criticizes the use of TikTok influencers to promote positive stories about Biden's economic stewardship, calling it 'propaganda' and comparing it to Soviet practices [cd892ead].
Kennedy's campaign's economic principles appear to resonate with youth voters, as recent polls show him 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 rebuked Kennedy's claim that Biden poses a greater threat to democracy than Trump. They point out that Trump violated cardinal rules of democracy while Biden has not. Some experts have also warned that Trump's authoritarian rhetoric poses a threat to democracy. Biden allies are concerned that Kennedy's criticism could impact the president's chances at reelection and are stepping up efforts to counter third-party bids [cfdce5d9].
Kennedy's controversial video and his ongoing criticism of Biden's censorship efforts have sparked debate and drawn attention to the issue of 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].