Former independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. expressed concern that former President Donald Trump’s recent debate performance could lead to a decline in support among independent voters. During an interview with Fox News, Kennedy noted that Trump's performance was "distracted," which could affect polling results in the coming days.

“I think he really had an airtight argument for his presidency, but he wasn’t able to make that case to the American public,” Kennedy said.

Trump, for his part, has claimed victory in the debate, pointing to polling results as evidence. However, a CNN flash poll conducted after the debate showed that 63% of viewers believed Vice President Kamala Harris outperformed Trump.

Kennedy, however, questioned the reliability of such polls, suggesting that some might suffer from "statistical problems." Still, despite his critique of Trump’s debate performance, Kennedy reaffirmed his support for the former president. “I was listening to the substance, and on the substance, President Trump wins,” he said.

Interestingly, Kennedy also praised Kamala Harris for her strong debate performance, noting her delivery, organization, and preparation. He said Harris “clearly won the debate” in those areas. Despite this acknowledgment, Kennedy maintains that Trump’s governance record is a winning argument in his favor, though he believes Trump failed to articulate that effectively during the debate.

Kennedy criticized Trump for missing a key opportunity during the first question of the debate, which focused on whether Americans are better off now compared to four years ago. Kennedy argued that Trump could have highlighted rising tensions in the Middle East, increasing poverty rates, and other domestic issues that he believes could be tied to the Biden-Harris administration. "That’s the argument he should have been making," Kennedy remarked.

After suspending his independent campaign, Kennedy officially endorsed Trump and has committed to appearing at swing state rallies with the former president. Kennedy's continued support for Trump underscores the complex relationship between substance and performance in political debates.

As independent voters play a crucial role in determining election outcomes, the impact of Trump’s debate performance—combined with the ongoing scrutiny from high-profile figures like Kennedy—could sway public opinion as the race continues.