Robert F. Kennedy Jr’s running mate Nicole Shanahan said this week that the pair are considering ending their independent campaign to endorse former President Donald Trump.
“So you know, there’s two options that we’re looking at, and one is staying in, forming that new party,” Shanahan told the “Impact Theory” podcast. “But we run the risk of a Kamala Harris and Walz presidency because we draw votes from Trump, or we walk away right now and join forces with Donald Trump, and you know, we walk away from that, and we explain to our base why we’re making this decision.”
In a statement to ABC News, Shanahan said such a move would “require a significant commitment by Trump to give Bobby true authority to execute,” though she did not explain what that would entail.
Shanahan’s comments were a shocking moment of candor about the independent campaign’s thinking in the final months of the presidential race.
As ABC News reported, Kennedy met with Trump last month during the Republican National Convention, where the men discussed potential roles Kennedy could play in a Trump White House, including Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Kennedy has run on a commitment to make America healthier, talking extensively about chronic disease and issues with the pharmaceutical industry, though he has espoused some debunked claims — for example, that vaccines and autism are linked — and is deeply skeptical of vaccines.
In this March 26, 2024, file photo, California attorney Nicole Shanahan speaks after Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. announced her as his running mate for vice president during an event in Oakland, Calif.
Anadolu via Getty Images, FILE
Trump, speaking to CNN Tuesday in Michigan, said he would “love” an endorsement from Kennedy.
Kennedy has also sought a meeting with Vice President Kamala Harris, and the Washington Post reported last week Kennedy sought a cabinet position in exchange for an endorsement.
Kennedy has played coy about his future in the race, saying recently he “would talk about my status in the race” if he felt another candidate was committed to focusing on the issues he cared about.
Until Shanahan’s remarks this week the campaign hadn’t been so transparent about the possibility Kennedy, who despite tanking poll numbers maintains a fervent base of supporters, would abandon his bid.
At one point in the interview with “Impact Theory,” Shanahan spoke about the campaign as though it was near its deathbed, using the past tense to describe its prospects.
“We wanted to win. We wanted a fair shot,” she said, lamenting the flood of money and lawsuits the Democratic Party has dedicated to removing Kennedy from the ballot in multiple states.
An Albany judge ordered this month that Kennedy be kept from the New York ballot over residency issues, though the candidate has appealed the ruling, and separate court cases are in session this week in Pennsylvania and Georgia.
Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., leaves the Pennsylvania Judicial Center, Aug. 20, 2024, in Harrisburg, Pa.
Matt Slocum/AP
Her comments are unlikely to help an already struggling fundraising operation. Jeff Hays, who has helped raise money for the campaign and a pro-Kennedy super PAC, told ABC News on Tuesday, “That just absolutely killed fundraising.”
Hays was going to host a fundraiser next month for the PAC, American Values, in Utah, but he’s calling it off, he said.
Tony Lyons, American Values’ co-founder, told ABC News Hays was “overreacting,” claiming without explanation that Shanahan’s interview would actually help the group’s fundraising numbers.
“I’m sure there will be many more twists and turns,” he said. “There’s a lot more baseball to be played.”
On Twitter, Kennedy wrote, “As always, I am willing to talk with leaders of any political party to further the goals I have served for 40 years in my career and in this campaign. These are: reversing the chronic disease epidemic, ending the war machine, cleaning corporate influence out of government and toxic pollution out of the environment, protecting freedom of speech, and ending politicization of enforcement agencies.”
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the son of the late Senator Robert F. Kennedy and nephew of former President John F. Kennedy, has been making headlines recently as he considers ending his campaign for the presidency and potentially endorsing President Donald Trump. This surprising turn of events comes as a shock to many, as Kennedy has been a long-time advocate for progressive causes and has been a vocal critic of the Trump administration.
Kennedy, who is running as an independent candidate, has been struggling to gain traction in the crowded field of presidential hopefuls. Despite his famous name and family legacy, he has failed to gain significant support in the polls and has faced criticism for his lack of political experience.
However, Kennedy’s running mate, former Republican Congressman Joe Walsh, has reportedly been pushing for him to drop out of the race and throw his support behind Trump. Walsh, who is known for his conservative views and his vocal opposition to Trump, believes that a unified front against the current president is the best way to defeat him in the upcoming election.
Kennedy’s potential endorsement of Trump has sparked controversy within the political world, with many questioning his motives and loyalty to the Democratic party. Some believe that he may be seeking to gain favor with Trump in order to further his own political ambitions, while others see it as a betrayal of his family’s legacy and values.
In a recent statement, Kennedy acknowledged that he is considering ending his campaign and potentially endorsing Trump, but he emphasized that no final decision has been made. He stated that he is weighing his options and consulting with his advisors before making a final decision.
Regardless of the outcome, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s potential endorsement of President Trump would undoubtedly have a significant impact on the 2020 election. It remains to be seen how this surprising turn of events will play out in the coming weeks and months.
