US Presidential Election: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Considers Withdrawal

US Presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is considering withdrawing his candidacy, NBC News reported on Wednesday, citing sources close to the 70-year-old politician's campaign. According to media reports, Kennedy would support the candidacy after stepping down Donald Trump. The politician's spokeswoman announced that he would announce “his next steps” on Friday. He is scheduled to speak in Phoenix that day. As NBC News notes, Trump is also scheduled to hold a rally in the city's suburbs that day.

Speaking to NBC News, Trump’s vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance acknowledged that there was communication between the campaigns. He emphasized, however, that he himself did not speak to Kennedy. According to NBC News, persuading Kennedy to step down and support the Republicans was a joint effort by Trump’s son, Donald Jr., former Fox News journalist Tucker Carlson, and wealthy donor Omeed Malik.

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Robert F. Kennedy Jr. himself has not publicly addressed speculation that he might drop out of the presidential race. His vice presidential candidate, Nicole Shanahan, guesting on the Impact Theory podcast, said there are two paths for their campaign. One is to continue the race for the White House and “risk” a Harris-Walz presidency, and the other is to “join forces with Trump.”

Trump himself was also asked about the possible resignation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his support of Donald Trump. In an interview with CNN, he admitted that if he won the election, he would “probably” find a place for Kennedy in his administration if he had previously supported him. “I like him very much. I respect him very much,” he said. “He's a brilliant guy, very intelligent. I've known him for a long time,” he added.

Trump also referred to his relationship with Kennedy in a video released later telephone conversation with a politician. The candidates, who come from different camps, seemed to agree on several issues during the meeting, including a negative assessment of the American health care system and a belief in the alleged harmfulness of vaccines. The two also met last month during the Republican convention in Milwaukee.

As NBC News notes, Kennedy last met with voters in person more than six weeks ago. His running mate, Nicole Shanahan, hasn't been seen on the campaign trail in months. The politician's ratings in polls dropped to a few percent. His campaign is also said to be struggling financially. The portal reminds us that an additional problem is the accusations of molestation that Kennedy was made in early July by his family's former nanny. Asked about the allegations, the politician said that “he was not an altar boy and had a turbulent youth,” and if “all the skeletons in his closet could vote, he could run for king of the world.” Also in July, the media reported that he apologized to his former nanny in a text message.

Another factor against him is the recent decision of a New York court, according to which his name will not be placed on the local electoral rolls.

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