Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (aka “RFK Jr.”), a 2024 U.S. presidential candidate, emerges as a staunch supporter of Bitcoin and its decentralized promise.
Robert Francis Kennedy Jr., born on January 17, 1954, is an American environmental lawyer, author, member of the Kennedy family, 2024 Democratic Party presidential candidate, and a controversial figure known for promoting anti-vaccine propaganda and health-related conspiracy theories. Kennedy is the son of former U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy and nephew of President John F. Kennedy.
Kennedy has had an extensive career in environmental law and advocacy, working with organizations like Riverkeeper, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), and Waterkeeper Alliance. Despite his success in the environmental field, Kennedy’s controversial statements and past issues have made it challenging for him to obtain prominent political positions.
On May 5, 2023, over a series of tweets, he expressed his concerns about the potential impact of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) on individual freedom, democracy, and financial privacy.
Kennedy’s opposition to CBDCs stems from his belief that they could be used to control people’s financial lives, particularly in terms of political dissent. He cited examples of private companies like PayPal, Visa, and Mastercard taking action against individuals or organizations due to political pressure or fear of regulatory backlash.
As a staunch defender of democracy and individual rights, Kennedy sees the potential for CBDCs to be misused by governments as a tool to suppress dissent and control economic life. The digitization of currency and the rise of CBDCs would grant governments unprecedented powers to monitor and control financial transactions, ultimately suffocating dissent and undermining democracy.
Conversely, Kennedy strongly supports Bitcoin, as it provides a decentralized alternative to traditional financial systems and allows people to conduct transactions without government interference. He views Bitcoin as a vital tool for supporting people’s movements worldwide, particularly in countries like Burma, where political unrest is prevalent.
