Associated Press
Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will speak Friday “about the present historical moment and his path forward,” his campaign announced Wednesday, fueling growing speculation that Kennedy could drop out and support Republican nominee Donald Trump.
Kennedy’s running mate openly discussed the possibility on a podcast this week, saying the campaign was considering a move to “join forces” with Trump to limit the election chance of Kamala Harris, whose Democratic convention winds up Thursday night in Chicago.
The move would have once seemed unthinkable for Kennedy, a Democrat for most of his life and — as the nephew of President John F. Kennedy and the son of Robert F. Kennedy — a member of a beloved Democratic dynasty.
Last month, during the Republican National Convention, Kennedy’s son posted and then quickly deleted a video showing a phone call between Kennedy and Trump, in which the former President appeared to try to talk Kennedy into siding with him.
Kennedy will give a speech in Phoenix, hours before Trump is scheduled to hold a rally in neighboring Glendale. A spokesperson for Kennedy, Stefanie Spear, declined to say whether he planned to drop out or why he chose Arizona for his speech.
Trump and Kennedy have been in regular contact in recent weeks, including a meeting in Milwaukee as Republicans gathered for their national convention last month.
He also said he would “certainly” be open to Kennedy playing a role in his administration if Kennedy drops out and endorses him instead.
“He’s a very smart guy. I’ve known him for a very long time,” Trump told the network. “I didn’t know he was thinking about getting out, but if he is thinking about getting out, certainly I’d be open to it.”
Trump, who had previously railed against Kennedy as “the most radical left candidate in the race,” was also asked by CNN If he would consider appointing Kennedy to a role in his administration if he wins in November,
“I like him a lot. I respect him a lot,” Trump said. “I probably would, if something like that would happen. He’s a very different kind of a guy — a very smart guy. And, yeah, I would be honored by that endorsement, certainly.”
After leaving the Democratic Primary to run as an independent, Kennedy built an unusually strong base of support for someone running without the backing of a major party. It was unclear exactly where his support was coming from, which worried Republicans and Democrats alike.
But since President Joe Biden ended his re-election campaign and Democrats coalesced around Vice President Harris as their nominee, Kennedy’s rise has been stunted. It looks increasingly unlikely that he will be able to make the debate stage when Trump and Harris face off next month, a moment Kennedy counted on for momentum and legitimacy. His campaign finances have also been strained.
The news comes a little over a week since a New York Judge ruled that Kennedy should not appear on the ballot in the state because he listed a “sham” address on nominating petitions. Kennedy has appealed, but has faced several similar challenges around the country.
On Wednesday, he was in a courtroom in a suburb of New York City, testifying in a trial for another ballot suit in the state, this one backed by the Democratic National Committee, that challenges the signatures collected by his campaign.
During a break in the court proceedings, Kennedy declined to answer questions from reporters about whether he was dropping out.
He’s also facing a likely legal challenge in Arizona, where last week he submitted signatures that may have been collected by a super PAC that supports him, which Kennedy’s critics say is illegal coordination between a candidate and an independent political group.
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Republished with permission of The Associated Press.
22 comments
Bill
August 21, 2024 at 6:18 pm
So a guy who’s brain was eaten by worms supports Trump. Go figure.
Michael K
August 22, 2024 at 9:18 am
It’s all transactional. RFK shopped around and only the convicted felon decided to “buy” the damaged goods. Soon enough, though, RFK will learn that Trump seldom pays his bills. Just ask Rudy Giuliani.
Michael K
August 22, 2024 at 5:26 pm
He’s a KINO: Kennedy in Name Only. No one in the Kennedy family – no one – is supporting this bufoon.
Yrral
August 21, 2024 at 6:20 pm
A guy that claims he got a worm in his brain,dump a dead bear in Central Park,and rape his child nanny Google RFK Jr Bear Google RFK JR Rape
PeterH
August 21, 2024 at 7:04 pm
Birds of a feather!
MarvinM
August 21, 2024 at 7:30 pm
It’s already been reported, RFK Jr. will support whoever gives him a job, or appoints a person he approves for that job.
Trump apparently is OK with that..
That’s pretty much Corruption 101. Selling offices.
Super Elvis
August 21, 2024 at 8:22 pm
Good evening Sage Patriots
This RFK thing will throw dirt on the Democrat’s dreams for the next 25 years.
Most of the Dook 4 Brains Leftys know its over already.
IN CLOSING:
All Sage Patriots can Relax Their Political Sphincters and all Dook 4 Brains Leftys are planning to keep their Sphincters puckered up for the next 25 years.
Y’all better stock up on laxitives ASAP to keep your puckered sphincters able to pass your dook.
Thank you Sage Patriots and F*** you all Dook 4 Brains Leftys
This Golden Nugget Wisdom Drop has been brought to you by SUPER ELVIS, FKA EARL, AMERICAN
Day 31
August 21, 2024 at 8:25 pm
It’s called karma. The Demo Party has sued RFK to keep him off the ballot in all 50 states I believe. This is his way of saying FU to the Demo Machine.
Yrral
August 21, 2024 at 8:50 pm
Republican Insane in the membrane,insane in the brain, crazy insane,got no brain, insane in the membrane, insane in the brain
Tom
August 22, 2024 at 7:29 am
I’m not thinking the 5 1/2 votes he brings in are worth the worry. He’ll take a few votes form both sides but his whole campaign was just a publicity grab. Marion Williamson won’t help/hinder much either.
John S.
August 21, 2024 at 9:33 pm
Morons Adore Great A$$holes
John S.
August 21, 2024 at 9:34 pm
Morons
John Ess
August 21, 2024 at 9:35 pm
Repugnants
John Ess
August 21, 2024 at 9:37 pm
censored
Ocean Joe
August 22, 2024 at 5:31 am
Donald will get his endorsement, promise him some kind of job, and then if elected, say “I don’t know this guy, I’ve never met him before.”
They deserve each other.
Michael K
August 22, 2024 at 8:48 am
There always seems to be room for one more clown in the trump clown car.
Day 32
August 22, 2024 at 6:04 am
Demos turning on the Kennedy Clan. Hilarious.🤣
Tom
August 22, 2024 at 7:32 am
The Kennedy clan endorsed Harris and disavowed RFK. JFK’s grandson was on stage the other night – WTF are you even talking about?
Super Elvis
August 22, 2024 at 6:36 am
Told ya leftys,
This is the begining of the end for your ilk.
Elvis
Jojo
August 22, 2024 at 7:13 am
I can’t imagine that RFK’s wife will be on board with this decision. If she’s still a liberal Democrat, I’m so sorry for her
tom palmer
August 22, 2024 at 4:23 pm
He is a non entity Most of his people will probably vote for Jill Stein.
Josh Green
August 22, 2024 at 9:13 pm
What a clown. He already asked Kamala Harris if he could join her cabinet in exchange for an endorsement, and she said no. So he goes to the other guy? LOL. Goes to show what kind of principles this fool has.
Comments are closed.