Robert F. Kennedy Jr., embarks on his independent presidential campaign with a noteworthy 19% backing, courtesy of the super PAC that champions his cause. However, he still trails significantly behind both Biden and Trump.
In a surprising turn of events, the pro-crypto advocate for the United States presidency, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., or RFK Jr. as he is often referred to, made a momentous announcement on October 9th at a lively rally in Philadelphia. He declared his withdrawal from the Democratic primary nomination race and threw his hat into the ring as an independent candidate. “I hereby declare my candidacy as an independent,” he proclaimed.
Kennedy has long been an ardent supporter of cryptocurrency, unveiling a bold vision for his potential administration—to position America as the global epicenter of cryptocurrency, particularly emphasizing Bitcoin. In a revelation made back in July, he unveiled plans to bolster the U.S. dollar by anchoring it to “hard currency” assets, including gold, silver, platinum, and the ever-prominent Bitcoin.
Kennedy was not one to shy away from voicing his opposition to the Federal Reserve’s FedNow instant payment system, likening it to a central bank digital currency (CBDC). In a now-deleted Twitter post, he warned that “CBDCs pave the treacherous path to financial subjugation and political despotism.” He cautioned that there was an “undeniable peril in this being the initial stride towards the prohibition and confiscation of Bitcoin.” The U.S. Federal Reserve Board subsequently initiated a campaign to distinguish FedNow from a CBDC.
Kennedy had been teasing this pivotal decision for several days, and on October 2nd, the super political action committee (PAC) backing him—American Values 2024—unveiled polling results that purportedly showcased his potential as the most formidable independent candidate in the modern annals of U.S. elections, with a noteworthy 19% backing from the electorate. This stands in contrast to the 38% support enjoyed by U.S. President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump.
While the 2024 presidential race has seen a slew of independent candidates entering the fray, only a handful have managed to capture widespread attention. Notably, writer Marianne Williamson remains the sole Democratic Party contender challenging Biden.
The Kennedy name has been inextricably linked with the Democratic Party for generations. However, RFK Jr.’s stance on various issues, such as his skepticism toward vaccines, has distanced him from the party’s mainstream and even his own family.
Interestingly, Kennedy’s perspectives on cryptocurrency bore a resemblance to those of Republican presidential hopeful and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. DeSantis shared Kennedy’s skepticism of FedNow and CBDCs, while also espousing support for Bitcoin. Polls indicate that DeSantis trails a distant second behind Trump in the race for the Republican primary nomination.
With Biden and Trump leading the polls within their respective U.S. parties, it raises the possibility of the next president being a crypto skeptic who endorses a CBDC. This is despite the industry’s belief that cryptocurrency may emerge as a pivotal issue in the 2024 presidential election, adding an intriguing dimension to the upcoming race.
