Robert F Kennedy Jr, an independent US presidential candidate, is reportedly considering ending his campaign and joining forces with Republican rival Donald Trump. This unexpected move was revealed by Kennedy’s running mate, Nicole Shanahan, in an interview posted online. According to Shanahan, as independents, they ran the risk of drawing support from would-be Trump voters, potentially clearing the way for Democrats Kamala Harris and Tim Walz to win the November election. She suggested that they could either continue their campaign or join forces with Trump.
In the interview, Shanahan stated that they would not say when they would make a decision, implying that the decision is still pending. Kennedy himself has remained silent on the matter, but he did post a statement on Twitter, indicating his willingness to talk with leaders of any political party to further his campaign goals.
These goals include reversing the chronic disease epidemic, ending the war machine, cleaning corporate influence out of government, and addressing environmental issues, among others. Kennedy’s campaign has been marked by controversy, including spreading misinformation on vaccines and receiving criticism from his family, who have denounced his bid for the presidency.
Robert Kennedy Jr (Image via Getty)
Despite his low polling numbers, with a support rate of 4 per cent in an Ipsos poll taken this month, Mr Kennedy’s campaign could still have a significant impact on the election. If he were to join forces with Trump, he could potentially siphon off votes from both Harris and Trump, potentially tipping the balance in a tight race.
In July, a phone call between Kennedy and Trump was leaked, revealing that Trump had taken an interest in Kennedy’s healthcare policies. Shanahan suggested that this could be an opportunity for a “unity party”, bringing together Kennedy’s supporters with Trump’s backers. However, it is unclear whether Kennedy’s team has been in talks with Harris or any other Democratic candidate.
One potential motive for Kennedy’s possible switch is to ensure that Hillary Clinton does not get elected, as Trump has repeatedly said that he does not want Kennedy to run against Democrats. While Kennedy has stated that he is open to working with leaders of any political party, the prospect of joining forces with Trump has left many questioning his motives.
