Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., along with his supporters, distributed rubber chickens to attendees of the Libertarian Party convention in an attempt to heckle and mock former President Donald Trump. The chickens, labeled with “Debate Bobby,” were meant to disrupt Trump’s speech and prompt a debate. The stunt received backlash from Trump supporters on social media, with some accusing Kennedy of dirty tricks and attempting to manipulate the event.
Far-right activist Laura Loomer raised concerns about the rubber chickens being used to cause disruptions during Trump’s speech, suggesting that an ambush was being planned. On Friday, a convention attendee made an explicit gesture toward Trump, indicating opposition to the former president. Trump ally Vivek Ramaswamy also faced boos at the convention when mentioning Trump’s name during a speech to Libertarian delegates, indicating tensions between different factions present at the event.
Secret Service agents were reportedly confiscating the rubber chickens from attendees before they entered Trump’s speech. Despite the controversy surrounding the rubber chicken stunt, Trump was scheduled to address the convention at 8 p.m. in a separate room from the main convention floor. Libertarian delegates picked their White House nominee during the gathering, with 34 registered candidates vying for the nomination.
Kennedy addressed the convention on Friday, criticizing both President Biden and Trump for their handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. While Kennedy’s presence at the convention sparked controversy among some delegates, he did not appear on the list of Libertarian presidential nominees on Saturday. Despite efforts by Kennedy’s campaign and advocacy groups to be included in the upcoming debates leading to the November election, they have not been successful so far.
A Harvard CAPS/Harris survey found that a majority of Americans support including third-party or independent candidates, such as Kennedy, in the presidential debates. Critics argue that Kennedy’s campaign could potentially serve as a spoiler in the race, resonating with both Trump and Biden supporters on different issues. The Libertarian Convention homepage highlighted Trump’s speech as a momentous occasion and an opportunity for members to engage with Libertarian ideals and principles.
