In a surprising turn of events in the 2024 presidential race, Independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is reportedly contemplating dropping out to align with former President Donald Trump. This potential move, revealed by Kennedy's running mate, Nicole Shanahan, underscores the complex dynamics of the current election landscape, where independent candidates and their decisions could significantly influence the outcome.
During an appearance on the "Impact Theory with Tom Bilyeu" podcast, Shanahan disclosed that the Kennedy campaign is at a crossroads, weighing two distinct options. "There's two options that we're looking at," she said. "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." The other option, which is gaining serious consideration, involves Kennedy stepping back from the race to "join forces with Donald Trump."
The idea of aligning with Trump is not one the Kennedy campaign is taking lightly. Shanahan, who has been vocal about her political perspectives, noted that she feels more comfortable with the prospect of a Trump administration than with the possibility of Harris and Walz taking office. "If we are splitting hairs, I would say that I trust the future of this country more under the leadership of Trump and the [Peter] Thiels and the JD Vances than I do right now under Harris and the Reid Hoffmans," she stated, referencing influential figures within both political spheres.
This development comes as Kennedy's campaign appears to be losing momentum. According to a recent Fox News poll, Kennedy's support has dropped to 6%, down from a peak of 15% in November 2023. The poll also highlighted that in a two-way race between Trump and Harris, Kennedy's presence on the ballot could siphon more votes from Trump than from Harris, a factor that Shanahan acknowledged as a critical concern. The data suggested that 9% of Trump's supporters would consider voting for Kennedy if he remained in the race, compared to 7% of Harris's supporters.
The potential for a Kennedy-Trump alliance has reportedly been in the works for some time. Last month, Trump met with Kennedy in Milwaukee during the Republican National Convention. According to reports, the two discussed various scenarios, including the possibility of Kennedy endorsing Trump in exchange for a significant role in a future Trump administration. The Washington Post reported that Trump could offer Kennedy a cabinet position or a lower-level role, although no official agreement has been made public.
Interestingly, the Harris campaign has reportedly rebuffed any attempts to engage with Kennedy, viewing him as a "MAGA-funded fringe candidate." A source from the Democratic National Committee emphasized that there is no intention of negotiating with Kennedy, further isolating him from potential Democratic alliances.
As Kennedy's campaign approaches a critical decision point, Shanahan emphasized that they are considering the long-term implications of staying in the race. She highlighted the potential benefits for future independent candidates, noting that if Kennedy garners more than 5% of the vote, it could secure automatic ballot access and public campaign financing for independents in future elections. "Technically, we could win," Shanahan argued, though she acknowledged the challenges ahead.
Kennedy himself has remained somewhat ambiguous about his plans, posting on X (formerly Twitter) that he is "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." This statement leaves the door open for a potential alliance with Trump while keeping his options flexible.
