RFK Jr. Slams Trump's COVID Lockdowns

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

attacked former President Donald Trump on his response to the Covid-19 pandemic, as he sought to court votes from Libertarian Party members and bolster his independent presidential bid.

“Trump presided over the greatest restriction of individual liberties this country has ever known. He did not stand up for the Constitution when it really mattered,” Kennedy said Friday at the Libertarian National Committee’s convention in Washington.

“Maybe a brain worm ate that part of my memory, but I don’t recall any part of the United States Constitution that creates an exemption for pandemics,” he said to laughter, referencing his claim that in 2010 he suffered from a parasitic worm and that it ate a portion of his brain.

Kennedy’s speech was the latest salvo in an increasingly heated clash between him and Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, as his independent campaign threatens the hopes of the major party candidates. With a national polling average near 10%, Kennedy is potentially the best-performing third-party presidential candidate in three decades. The outcome of the election could depend on whether Kennedy draws more support away from Trump or President Joe Biden.

Both Trump and Kennedy are eager to court Libertarian support with Trump also scheduled to address the party convention on Saturday. Inviting outside candidates to a convention is unheard of even for a minor party, and has divided Libertarians. The convention will nominate its own candidate for president on Sunday.

Trump and Kennedy are not among the candidates formally seeking the party’s bid.