Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s running mate, Nicole Shanahan, revealed in a podcast interview that the independent candidates were contemplating ending their floundering independent presidential campaign and endorsing Republican Donald J. Trump, citing what she described as the Democratic Party’s “sabotage” of their efforts.
Later that day, former President Donald J. Trump expressed that he would consider offering Mr. Kennedy a role in his administration if this scenario unfolded.
The New York Times writes:
In a nearly hourlong interview posted online on Tuesday, Mr. Kennedy’s running mate, Nicole Shanahan, a Silicon Valley investor who has poured more than $10 million into their campaign, appeared to concede that their effort was not likely to end in victory. The campaign is running out of money, its poll numbers are falling and its efforts to secure ballot access across all 50 states have hit repeated snags.
“There’s two options that we’re looking at,” Ms. Shanahan said. “One is staying in,” hoping to get 5 percent of the vote to establish a viable political party that will have more access to money and be able to get onto election ballots in 2028. “But we run the risk of a Kamala Harris and Walz presidency, as we draw votes from Trump — we draw somehow more votes from Trump.”
She continued: “Or we walk away, right now, and join forces with Donald Trump, and we walk away from that and explain to our base why we are making this decision. Not easy.”
In response to a request for comment, Stefanie Spear, a spokeswoman for the Kennedy campaign sent a link to a message that Mr. Kennedy posted on X Tuesday, which read, in part: “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.”
Kennedy joining forces with the Trump campaign would be a likely boost to the former president, according to USA Today.
“Polls have shown that Kennedy’s campaign is pulling more support from voters who otherwise would back Trump, rather than would-be Harris voters. Still, a Pew Research analysis found that Harris’ recent bump in support has come in part from people who previously leaned toward Kennedy’s campaign.”
Shanahan said that Kennedy would likely be swayed by a position at the Department of Health and Human Services. As for her own future, Kennedy’s running mate made allusions to running for Califorinia governor in 2026.
“I don’t know yet. I think that I’d be happy to support somebody great to run for California governor,” Shanahan said, adding that she “would consider running as well.”
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