Nicole Shanahan says RFK Jr. campaign considering joining forces with Trump

Axios ^ | August 20, 2024 | Erin Doherty

[Angelino97]

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s running mate Nicole Shanahan said in an interview out Tuesday that the campaign is considering dropping its bid and joining forces with former President Trump as it weighs its options for the future.

Why it matters: The stunning admission from Shanahan comes as the longshot independent presidential ticket is losing money, facing legal challenges to its ballot access and has slowed its public schedule.

Driving the news: "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 Walz presidency because we draw votes from Trump," Shanahan said on the Impact Theory podcast.

"Or we walk away right now and join forces with Donald Trump ... and explain to our base why we're making this decision."

"Not an easy decision," she added.

State of play: The Kennedy campaign has drawn concern from both major parties about its possibility of playing a spoiler role in November.

But recent polling since Vice President Harris entered the presidential race shows that Kennedy may pose a greater risk to Trump in November.

Shanahan said in the interview the question is whether "the risk of a Harris-Walz presidency" is "worth us staying."

Between the lines: A leaked phone call during the Republican National Convention last month showed the former president saying he would "love" for Kennedy to "do something" with his campaign.

Kennedy apologized over the leaked video and reaffirmed his commitment to staying in the race.

[Mr. K]

It should be an EASY decision.

Tell the world that his father and uncle would not recognize the current Democrat party.

[nralife]

”This thread is filled with imbiciles that are dumber than Harris..

Say it louder for those in the back! LOL

[iontheball]

Smart move by Trump to court RFK, Jr. My guess is Trump may put RFK, Jr. in his cabinet as chief medial officer.

[Eleutheria5]

This ought to be interesting.

[CottonBall]

“Driving the news: “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 Walz presidency because we draw votes from Trump,” Shanahan said on the Impact Theory podcast.

“Or we walk away right now and join forces with Donald Trump ... and explain to our base why we’re making this decision.”

“Not an easy decision,” she added.”

I found that confusing. With the first one they help the democrats. With the second one they help the republicans. Seems like an easy choice

[ding_dong_daddy_from_dumas]

Head of FDA

I don't think RFK would want anything that wasn't a real cabinet post.

[Sarah Barracuda]

According to Alex jones rfk jr would be offered the attorney general position

[Governor Dinwiddie]

If it helps to get President Trump reelected … just sayin'.

[ding_dong_daddy_from_dumas]

I don’t think so. Maybe HHS, since he is anti-vax. He doesn’t seem to be as crazy WRT abortion as Northam.

[StAnDeliver]

It's funny, but telling, that the most important thread on this board is languishing in Front Page News.

Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, August 24, RFKJr will throw his support to Trump at Trump's rally.

[1Old Pro]

I’d welcome support from the JFK ticket, if it helps Trump get 1-2% more, that might be all the difference.

[Sidebar Moderator]

Is that confirmed?

[jjotto]

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/rfk-jr-donald-trump-video-endorsement/

[StAnDeliver]

If your VP is floating the trial balloon to see how it is received, what do you think? She's not out there without JFKJr's permission to file greivances.

The only trick here, is that JFKJr went to the Democrats first -- only to be rebuffed. So now, will RFKJr give the Democrats another proffer for NIH, which I believe Trump would offer on the condition Goofy doesn't go up there and say, "Trump offered me NIH."

It's not by accident RFKJr is going to heavily campaign in AZ starting Friday.

Think about this as well, RFKJr plays well in AZ, you could almost count on him to close escrow on AZ and NV for Trump and that's game over for Karamela.

If they can work out a non-disclosure, I'd say it's 70-30 to happen Friday. Now if Goofy wants Vance's slot, lol, it'd be funny to see Trump's reaction, 'hmmm, yeah, maybe'.

[Sarah Barracuda]

Alex Jones says that RFK Jr is going to drop out Friday during some event here in LA and endorse Trump

[StAnDeliver]

Ok I listened to Shanahan's interview again. RFKJr wants HHS, not NIH. Shanahan is fairly clever, like a smart girl (with unfortunate slight Valley Girl accent), and could easily be a tech czarship for her in TrumpII.

She spoke very highly of Trump's committment to chronic diseases and says they have to take him seriously at where their interests intersect. Balanced budgets and end forever wars, she says later.

"I am so mad at myself for helping Chuck Schumer secure his majority in the Georgia runoff."

The overall vibe is Shanahan is PIZZED at the Democrats and wants to punish them. I'm down with that.

Because if this endorsement goes down Friday, it steals the Narrative back to Trump and negates Mattress Back's post-con bounce, and she knows about bouncing.

[StAnDeliver]

It's Happening!

I would presume the announcement will come from JFKJr in PHX on Friday, and hopefully he will join President Trump later in the day in Glendale. Or perhaps a joint announcment.

[Sidebar Moderator]

Wow! Awesome news!