RFK Jr. May Drop Out to Support Trump, Says Campaign Running Mate

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is contemplating the possibility of stepping back from his campaign as an independent presidential candidate to potentially support the election of Donald Trump, as conveyed by his vice-presidential candidate, Nicole Shanahan.

Shanahan’s statement, made during an appearance on the Impact Theory With Tim Bilyeau podcast, raised eyebrows as she suggested that they were seriously considering abandoning their campaign. Their concern hinges on the idea that their candidacy could inadvertently aid Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, gain an advantage.

In her remarks, Shanahan drew a stark comparison, suggesting that Kennedy’s campaign aligns more closely with Trump than with Harris. Initially a Democratic Party member, Kennedy had sought to secure the party’s nomination before opting to run as an independent.

“We are exploring two options,” Shanahan explained. “One is to remain in the race and establish a new party; however, this could lead to a Kamala Harris and Tim Walz presidency, especially if we siphon votes away from Trump.” She elaborated, “Alternatively, we could withdraw now and align ourselves with Donald Trump, and we would need to communicate this reasoning effectively to our supporters.”

Shanahan indicated that this decision was not straightforward and expressed her leanings toward supporting Trump rather than Harris, who also has influential financial supporters. “If we are comparing the two, I would trust the future of this country more under Trump and his wealthy backers than under Harris and her financial supporters,” she stated.

In the wake of Shanahan’s comments, Trump responded positively during an interview with CNN in Michigan, saying he would be “certainly” open to involving Kennedy in a future administration if he chose to step back from the race. “I respect him, and I think he’s a very smart guy,” Trump remarked.

The political landscape has shifted recently, with public opinion polls showing that Kennedy garners more support from Trump’s voter base than from Harris’. Notably, Kennedy has been associated with anti-vaccination conspiracy theories, a stance that resonates more prominently with right-leaning voters than with those of the Democratic Party.

The notion that Kennedy may play a spoiler role in the upcoming election has been a topic of speculation. Analysts are divided over which party may suffer more from his independent candidacy, as some surveys indicate that Kennedy is currently polling around 5%.

This contemplation of withdrawal follows a notable encounter Kennedy had with Trump at last month’s Republican National Convention held in Milwaukee. Reports suggest Trump sought Kennedy’s endorsement during their conversation, discussing the possibility of Kennedy taking on a position in a future administration.

In contrast, Kennedy’s attempts to arrange a meeting with Harris were met with cold shoulders. A source from the Democratic National Committee dismissed the idea, stating, “There is no intention to negotiate with a fringe candidate funded by MAGA who is seeking a job with Donald Trump in exchange for support.”

The financial backing for both Trump and Kennedy includes significant contributions from Timothy Mellon, a prominent supporter of Trump and heir to a distinguished American banking family. Mellon has given $25 million to American Values 2024, the Super PAC backing Kennedy’s presidential ambitions, with a recent donation totaling $5 million made in April.

As the son of the late Robert F. Kennedy and a member of one of America’s most prominent political families, Kennedy’s entry into the independent race was met with rebuke from his own siblings. They issued a joint statement denouncing his candidacy, stating, “Bobby’s decision to run as a third-party candidate against Joe Biden is perilous for our country.” They emphasized that although he shares a name with their father, he does not reflect the same values or vision.

In what is becoming a contentious and complex political landscape, the future of both Kennedy’s campaign and its potential influence on the presidential race remains uncertain.