RFK Jr challenges Donald Trump to a debate at the Libertarian National Convention

Presidential dark-horse candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. invited former President Donald Trump to engage in a debate with him at the Libertarian National Convention later this month.

Trump was confirmed as a speaker at the Washington D.C. convention for May 25, and has praised the party as some of the "most independent and thoughtful thinkers in our country." Kennedy is expected to speak on May 24.

Kennedy said the debate would be a way for Trump to defend his record, and that the debate occurring at the convention would be in neutral territory.

"I’m drawing a lot of voters from your former supporters," Kennedy said in a post to X on Tuesday. "They are upset that you blew up the deficit, shut down their businesses during Covid, and filled your administration with swamp creatures. So I’d like to make you an offer. We’re both going to be speaking at the upcoming Libertarian convention ... [and] it’s perfect neutral territory for you and me to have a debate where you can defend your record for your wavering supporters."

The invitation comes as Trump seeks a debate against President Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee. Biden has stated that he will debate Trump at some point, but has not indicated when it would be. However, the first official presidential debate is scheduled for Sept. 16.

The independent candidate is reportedly considering trying to run on the Libertarian ticket. He has qualified as an independent instead in three states so far, including California, but has met the signature threshold for ballot access in seven other states. He is trying to get on the ballot in all 50 states.

Kennedy said he already has the debate idea approved by the convention organizers, but it is not clear what date the debate would fall on. 

"Let’s meet at the Libertarian convention and show the American public that at least two of the major candidates aren’t afraid to debate each other," Kennedy said in the post.

Trump has not responded to the invitation so far, but has previously dismissed Kennedy as a "Democrat plant" and a "radical left liberal who’s been put in place in order to help Crooked Joe Biden, the worst president in the history of the United States, get re-elected."

"A Vote for 'Junior’ would essentially be a WASTED PROTEST VOTE, that could swing either way, but would only swing against the Democrats if Republicans knew the true story about him," Trump said in a post to Truth Social last month.