Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the first presidential candidate to embrace Bitcoin campaign donations, aligns with his rival Donald Trump in opposing the introduction of a central bank digital currency (CBDC) in the United States.
Kennedy’s Stance on CBDC Threats
On January 24, Kennedy shared a snippet of his discussion on X, expressing concerns about the dangers posed by a CBDC. During this media appearance, he engaged in dialogue with Joseph Mercola, known for promoting alternative medicine, particularly alternative remedies for COVID-19. Mercola hosts the podcast “Take Control Over Your Health.”
Kennedy, in a brief one-minute video, highlighted his apprehensions about a CBDC, emphasizing that it would grant the government unprecedented insight into citizens’ transactions, paving the way for potential blackmail or pressure. He went further, labeling it a “calamity for human rights and for civil rights.” Drawing a parallel with China’s “digital yuan,” Kennedy pointed out the risks associated with the extensive social credit system, where non-compliance can result in the government restricting access to funds.
Referencing a 2023 Chainalysis report, Kennedy underscored the privacy concerns faced by Chinese citizens due to the integration of financial data from the digital yuan into the social credit system. This revelation raised alarms about the potential misuse of citizens’ financial information.
Trump’s Anti-CBDC Stance
Notably, Donald Trump, despite previous skepticism towards Bitcoin, echoed Kennedy’s sentiment, to “never allow” a CBDC in the United States. This stance aligns with the pro-crypto positions taken by some of his former Republican Party rivals, Vivek Ramaswamy and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, both of whom endorsed Trump after withdrawing from the presidential race.
