RFK Weighing Dropping Out to Join Trump, Running Mate Says
Summary from the AllSides News Team
Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy is considering dropping out and joining forces with Trump, his running mate Nicole Shanahan said on Tuesday. RFK is expected to speak from Phoenix, Arizona, about the future of his campaign on Friday.
Key Quote: Shanahan said, “There’s two options that we’re looking at, and one is staying in, forming that new party, but we run the risk of a Kamala Harris and [Tim] Walz presidency because we draw votes from Trump…Or we walk away right now and join forces with Donald Trump…and we explain to our base why we’re making this decision.” Trump said he would be open to offering Kennedy a cabinet position and would "love" his endorsement. "He's a very smart guy. I've known him for a very long time. 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 said on CNN.
For Context: Kennedy entered the 2024 race as a Democrat but switched to an Independent last October. Recently, reports surfaced that he sought a cabinet position with Harris, which he called “fake news.”
How The Media Covered It: The New York Post (Lean Right bias) highlighted that Shanahan said she and Kennedy trust the Republican establishment more than the Democratic one right now. The Guardian (Lean Left bias) painted Kennedy negatively, describing him as an “insurgent” candidate and leaning into “anti-vaccination conspiracy theories” that interest Republicans.
Featured Coverage of this Story
From the Left
RFK Jr considers dropping out to help Trump, running mate saysRobert F Kennedy Jr is considering abandoning his campaign as an insurgent independent presidential candidate in order to help the election of Donald Trump, his running mate has said.
The startling disclosure was made by Nicole Shanahan, Kennedy’s vice-presidential candidate, who said the pair were considering dropping their campaign over fears it might help elect Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, as president.
Shanahan’s remarks, made on the Impact Theory With Tim Bilyeau podcast, were close to an all-out admission that Kennedy’s campaign had more in common with Trump than Harris. Kennedy...
From the Center
RFK Jr's running mate says campaign may back TrumpRobert F Kennedy Jr's running mate says the independent presidential candidate is considering joining forces with Donald Trump's campaign or staying in and forming a third party.
On a podcast, Nicole Shanahan said they were considering the two options to avoid the "risk" of a Kamala Harris presidency.
She also accused the Democrats of "sabotage", including planting insiders in their campaign.
Mr Kennedy has faced a number of hurdles in his longshot third-party campaign, from legal challenges over getting his name on state ballots to funding his run.
From the Right
RFK Jr. considering dropping out to ‘join forces’ with Trump, former prez ‘open’ to giving him a roleIndependent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is considering dropping out of the 2024 race to “join forces” with former President Donald Trump, his running mate revealed Tuesday.
Shortly after the revelation, Trump declared that he would be “certainly” open to giving the Kennedy scion a post in his administration.
“There’s two options that we’re looking at, and one is staying in, forming that new party, but we run the risk of a Kamala Harris and [Tim] Walz presidency because we draw votes from Trump,” Nicole Shanahan, the independent candidate’s vice presidential pick,...
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