Kennedy’s Remarks at Consensus 2024
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., U.S. presidential candidate, addressed a press conference on Thursday at Consensus 2024 in Austin, Texas. Here are some of his key comments and insights:
On Trump’s Guilty Verdict
Kennedy chose to steer clear of commenting directly on Donald Trump’s guilty verdict. Instead, he emphasized his campaign’s focus on economic and health issues. “I’m going to talk about issues of broader concern. I want to focus on the economic issues and the health issues. That’s what my campaign is about. I’m not going to get dragged into the dirt pile. I don’t have any thoughts. I’ve been very disciplined in not talking about lawsuits against [Joe] Biden or Trump,” he stated.
On Trump’s Pro-Crypto Stance
Kennedy expressed approval of Trump’s newfound support for cryptocurrency. “I’m happy about that. I think it’s a good thing for our country. Commitment to crypto is a commitment to freedom and transparency. I’m not going to question if it was a political decision. I’m happy he did it, and I hope President Biden does, too,” he said.
Issues Facing Crypto Regulation
Kennedy highlighted several critical issues facing cryptocurrency regulation in the U.S. “I think transactional freedom is one. We need sovereignty over our own wallets, transactional freedom and a currency that is transparent. We need to make sure America remains the hub of blockchain technology. I’m going to make sure cryptocurrency is regulated in a way that protects the consumer from deceptive schemes,” he explained. He also revealed his personal investment in cryptocurrency, stating, “I purchased 21 bitcoins since I started this campaign. I also bought three coins for each of my kids.”
Vision for Crypto’s Future
Kennedy outlined his vision for the future of cryptocurrency, advocating for its use as a transactional currency rather than an asset subject to capital gains tax. “My objective if elected president is that crypto is a transactional currency. That people can have transactional freedom. That people have a choice as to whether they can buy it. I think it should be treated as a currency; we shouldn’t be taxing it as capital gains. I believe that it should be a currency used to purchase things like apples, lunches, and coffee and that people can do that,” he articulated.
Inspiration to Run for President
Kennedy reflected on his motivation to run for president, citing the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic as a critical factor. “I toyed with getting into politics when I was younger. For two decades I took that off the plate. I saw what happened during COVID and when the government shut down the economy. I thought it was wrong. The government shut down every church, attacked the 5th amendment, shut down business without due process…they shut down jury trials, they violated prohibitions and I saw this attack on the constitution and censorship, not just to me but so many people who were trying to talk. I saw that and it seemed so unethical to my country. All these traditional values for my party and my country were disappearing, and I felt I could play a unique role in showing people what America’s supposed to look like,” he passionately conveyed.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s address at Consensus 2024 provided valuable insights into his perspectives on Trump’s legal issues, cryptocurrency, and his broader campaign goals. His commitment to economic and health issues, as well as his advocacy for cryptocurrency as a means of ensuring financial freedom and transparency, were central themes in his remarks. As the presidential race continues, Kennedy’s views on these critical issues will undoubtedly resonate with many voters.
