Vice President Kennedy contemplates a potential arrangement with Trump.
Apart from Trump, Harris, and a Kennedy vying for the White House in November, there's an independent candidate throwing their hat into the ring. Despite having slim prospects, their entry could potentially sway votes from other contenders. Their vice-presidential pick is contemplating aligning with one of the major camps.
In an interview with Tom Bilyeu on YouTube, the running mate of independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. hinted at collaboration with former President Trump. They're currently weighing the pros and cons of continuing their campaign, which might lead to a Democrat victory, or teaming up with Trump. "It's not an easy decision," the vice-presidential candidate said, clarifying that they haven't had any talks with Trump yet.
Without commenting on the interview, Kennedy openly expressed his readiness to engage with prominent figures from all political parties to push forward his long-standing commitments in healthcare and the environment.
Rumors emerged over the weekend suggesting Kennedy might be considering supporting Harris in exchange for a high-ranking position post-election. However, the vice-presidential candidate denied such discussions. "We've never talked to Harris," she stated, praising Trump's interest in chronic diseases and the far-right politicians he associates with.
Trump responded to these claims positively, telling CNN that he'd welcome Kennedy's role in a potential Republican government. "I like him, and I respect him," Trump said.
Kennedy's presence could primarily harm Trump
With an average polling of 5%, Kennedy stands no chance of winning in November. However, both Democrats and Republicans are keeping a watchful eye on his potential impact. He could potentially draw crucial support away from Trump or Harris with his candidacy. At present, it seems that his campaign is primarily weakening Trump's position.
As an environmental activist and lawyer, Kennedy has been vocal about clean water issues. His stance on vaccines, often criticized by Democrats, has caused division and controversy, with family members also expressing concerns over his conspiracy theory endorsements.
In March, businesswoman Shanahan joined Kennedy as his running mate. A successful lawyer and entrepreneur, Shanahan was married to Google's co-founder and billionaire Sergey Brin from 2018 to 2023. Now, she's backed Kennedy in his bid for the presidency, rising from a humble background as the daughter of an immigrant from China.
Despite denying talks with Harris, Kennedy's independent campaign could still potentially affect her chances, as I'm not going to limit my approach to only one side. The close alliance between Kennedy and his vice-presidential pick Shanahan, who has a controversial past with her former husband, could prove to be a double-edged sword in the election.
