RFK Jr loses Libertarian presidential nod hours after accepting bid, trolls say that will 'leave a mark'

WASHINGTON, DC: Robert F Kennedy Jr's surprising attempt to secure the Libertarian Party's presidential nomination ended almost as quickly as it began.

On May 26, at the party's national convention, Kennedy was briefly in the running for the nomination, a move that generated significant attention and could have influenced the upcoming presidential election.

RFK Jr booed after he gets Libertarian presidential nomination

Kennedy's journey began on May 24, when he addressed the Libertarian convention, but it was on Sunday that a delegate officially nominated him from the convention floor. This move was met with audible disapproval from other delegates. Despite the boos, Kennedy's candidacy was confirmed by party chair Angela McArdle, who ensured his paperwork was in order.

"I’m at the podium and need to ask you if you accept the nomination," McArdle was heard saying during a call to Kennedy. She then relayed to the delegates that Kennedy would "get back to us." Eventually, Kennedy accepted the nomination via FaceTime, and his image was broadcast on the big screen at the convention center.

Kennedy's acceptance was short-lived. In the first round of voting, he received support from only 19 delegates, which accounted for a mere 2.07 per cent of the vote. His quick defeat was a significant setback not only for his bid within the Libertarian Party but also for his broader independent presidential campaign.

Initially, there was uncertainty regarding Kennedy's willingness to run as a Libertarian candidate. Kennedy had previously declared his intention to remain an independent candidate. This ambiguity cast doubt over his commitment to the Libertarian nomination, a crucial factor in his short-lived candidacy.

Donald Trump says he will get 'majority' of Libertarian votes

The convention also saw a surprising nomination for Donald Trump despite his legal and logistical barriers. Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, noted that he couldn’t be the nominee for two parties in most states, a restriction that prevented him from pursuing the Libertarian nomination.

"The reason I didn’t file paperwork for the Libertarian Nomination, which I would have absolutely gotten if I wanted it (as everyone could tell by the enthusiasm of the Crowd last night!), was the fact that, as the Republican Nominee, I am not allowed to have the Nomination of another Party," he posted on Truth Social.

"Regardless, I believe I will get a Majority of the Libertarian Votes. Junior’ Kennedy is a Radical Left Democrat, who’s destroyed everything he’s touched, especially in New York and New England, and in particular, as it relates to the Cost and Practicality of Energy. He’s not a Libertarian. Only a FOOL would vote for him!" Trump added.

RFK Jr thanks Libertarian party for 'unexpected honor'

Had Kennedy secured the Libertarian nomination, it would have significantly boosted his efforts to appear on the ballot in all 50 states. The Libertarian Party currently has ballot access in at least 37 states, including key battlegrounds like Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Arizona.

As an independent, Kennedy faces the daunting task of meeting each state's individual requirements for ballot access.

Despite his defeat, Kennedy remains a prominent figure in the 2024 election. In his acceptance speech, he thanked the Libertarian Party for the "unexpected honor" and emphasized the need for a coalition of third-party and independent voters to challenge the traditional Republican and Democratic dominance.

"I'm very grateful to the Libertarian Party for this great honor, and I look forward to an alliance across the country, a fusion alliance of all of these independent parties who are now challenging the Republican-Democrat corrupt duopoly," Kennedy stated.

Both Kennedy and Trump faced a hostile reception at the convention, with boos and jeers marking their addresses. Kennedy, however, managed to garner some support by promising to pardon government whistleblower Edward Snowden and drop charges against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. He also criticized both Trump and Biden for their handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Maybe a brain worm ate that part of my memory, but I don’t recall any part of the United States Constitution where there’s an exemption for pandemics," Kennedy remarked, referencing a New York Times report about his diagnosis with a brain parasite. "Neither of them upheld the Constitution when it really counted," he said of Biden and Trump, as quoted by the Daily Mail.

RFK Jr brutally trolled after losing Libertarian party nomination

Kennedy’s brief bid and subsequent defeat were widely mocked on social media.

"RFK is not a libertarian. He shouldn’t have gotten any votes," one posted on X.

"Didn't work as expected!" another wrote.

"That’s gonna leave a mark," a comment read.

"Because he’s not a libertarian, he’s a Democrat," another insisted.

"Robert 'arrest and jail all climate deniers' Kennedy is pretty far from a libertarian," someone else chimed in.

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