Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has focused on censorship as a key issue in his independent presidential campaign, alleging that the government, news media, and tech platforms have tried to suppress his message.
Over the weekend, Facebook and Instagram blocked a link to a new 30-minute ad supporting his candidacy, which added fuel to Mr. Kennedy’s claims. The link was inaccessible from Friday afternoon until Saturday midday.
Meta, the owner of both platforms, later acknowledged that the block was a mistake. Spokesperson Andy Stone stated that the link had been erroneously flagged as spam and was unblocked within hours once the error was identified.
Following the incident, Tony Lyons, a founder of American Values 2024, the super PAC behind the ad, announced plans to sue Meta in federal court, accusing the company of censorship and violating First Amendment rights.
The ad, narrated by Woody Harrelson, portrays Mr. Kennedy as a champion for the environment, good governance, and American values, free from corporate influence. It also addresses criticisms of Mr. Kennedy in a light-hearted manner.
Despite the ad’s positive reception, social media users reported that posts containing the link were removed due to alleged violations of platform terms of service. The campaign responded by releasing a TikTok video showcasing the issue and urging supporters to document what they viewed as “election interference.”
The ad traces Mr. Kennedy’s journey from a political legacy to his battles with addiction and his subsequent career as an environmental lawyer. It also highlights his concerns about vaccinations and government responses to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Mr. Kennedy’s skepticism of vaccinations, including debunked claims about links to autism, has drawn attention during the pandemic. He has criticized rushed vaccine development and lockdown measures, alleging that his views were silenced by social media platforms.
Despite facing censorship and accusations of spreading misinformation, Mr. Kennedy’s social media accounts were reinstated after he entered the presidential race.
