RFK Jr may exit presidential race to 'join forces' with Trump campaign, running mate says

WASHINGTON (TND) — Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s presidential running mate Nicole Shanahan says the independent candidate is weighing whether to exit the race in favor of siding with former President Donald Trump.

Kennedy this month lambasted Vice President Kamala Harris in the wake of reporting saying he was denied a potential role in her administration. The Washington Post reported Kennedy’s team had contacted the Harris campaign seeking a meeting to discuss a potential role should she win in November.

Kennedy reportedly offered to drop out of the race and endorse Harris in exchange. Shanahan on Tuesday denied such reports via the “Impact theory with Tom Bilyeu” podcast, but she said the Kennedy campaign may shutter operations to avoid the “risk” of a victory by Harris.

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,” she said.

The other option, she said, is to “walk away right now and join forces with Donald Trump.” Shanahan said this move would allow the campaign to eye a potential 2028 run.

Shanahan went on to clarify she is not currently in talks with the Trump campaign about such a move. Kennedy reportedly met with Trump during the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee to discuss such a deal.

READ MORE | Dems keep up fight to keep third party candidates off ballots

The third party campaign is currently struggling to obtain ballot access in some states. A judge ruled this month Kennedy could not appear on New York’s ballot, a decision that could impact his access in other states.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., this month discussed obstacles he faced running for president. Though he filed to run as a Democrat in the 2020 election, the senator is the longest-serving independent in congressional history.

"We won the first three primaries, and then the establishment got very, very nervous ... and they said, 'Hey, it would be a good idea if you dropped out," Sen. Sanders said.

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