RFK Jr. Fails to Qualify for First Presidential Debate, Trump Mocks

Former President Trump has released a video mocking independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. after he failed to meet the requirements to appear at the first presidential debate.

Former President Trump released a video Thursday mocking independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for not meeting the requirements to appear at the first presidential debate.

The short video, recorded aboard Trump's private jet, addressed reports that Kennedy had insufficient support in national polls and did not appear on enough state ballots to earn a spot at CNN's upcoming debate.

RFK Jr. Fails to Qualify for First Presidential Debate, Trump Mocks

"I know RFK Jr. wants to try to get onto the stage on Thursday, and I'd love to have him frankly, because I don't think he's much of a debater, and he's got some very liberal, radical left ideas," Trump said in the video. "But you have to get certain numbers, that was the criteria, and he's way below those numbers. He's not coming close."

RFK Jr. responded by accusing Biden, Trump, and CNN of colluding to exclude him from the debate.

RFK Jr. Fails to Qualify for First Presidential Debate, Trump Mocks

"Presidents Biden and Trump do not want me on the debate stage and CNN illegally agreed to their demand," Kennedy said in a statement. "My exclusion by Presidents Biden and Trump from the debate is undemocratic, un-American, and cowardly."

Kennedy went on to criticize Biden and Trump for their policies and vowed to represent the interests of the American people.

RFK Jr. Fails to Qualify for First Presidential Debate, Trump Mocks

"Americans want an independent leader who will break apart the two-party duopoly," he said. "They want a President who will heal the divide, restore the middle class, unwind the war machine, and end the chronic disease epidemic."

Trump, meanwhile, brushed off Kennedy's criticisms and expressed doubt that he would ever qualify for the debate.

RFK Jr. Fails to Qualify for First Presidential Debate, Trump Mocks

"You have to do better than six or seven points. Maybe someday he'll be there, but I doubt it," Trump said in his video.

The debate, hosted by CNN, will take place on June 23rd and will feature eight candidates meeting the polling and ballot access thresholds. The first four candidates to qualify were Libertarian Party candidate Jo Jorgensen, Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins, America First Party candidate Brock Pierce, and independent candidate Kanye West.

The remaining four candidates who qualified after meeting the criteria on Thursday were Democratic candidates Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, and Kamala Harris.

The debate will be the first opportunity for the candidates to face each other on a national stage and will likely be closely watched by voters across the country.