Robert F. Kennedy Jr. may drop out of the presidential race this week as his campaign announced Wednesday that he will discuss the future of his candidacy – one day after his running mate revealed he was mulling whether to “join forces” with former President Donald Trump.
Trump, 78, is set to hold a rally about a 30-minute drive away in Glendale, Arizona later in the day Friday.
“Independent Presidential Candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will address the nation live on Friday about the present historical moment and his path forward,” the Kennedy campaign said in a press release, without elaborating.
On Tuesday, Kennedy’s running mate, Nicole Shanahan, publicly revealed that the pair were rethinking their path forward.
“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 [Tim] Walz presidency because we draw votes from Trump,” Shanahan said on the “Impact Theory with Tom Bilyeu” podcast.
As for the other option, Shanahan said: “We walk away right now and join forces with Donald Trump … and we explain to our base why we’re making this decision.”
Her remarks quickly triggered speculation about Kennedy’s future in the 2024 arena.
Kennedy’s press conference in Phoenix is slated to begin at 2 p.m. ET, and Trump’s rally in Glendale is set to commence at 6 p.m. ET, according to releases from the two campaigns.
Shortly after Shanahan’s remarks, Trump indicated that he’d be open to giving the Kennedy scion an administration role.
“I didn’t know he was thinking about getting out, but if he is thinking about getting out, certainly I’d be open to it,” he told CNN.
“I like him, and I respect him,” Trump also said of Kennedy. “He’s a brilliant guy. He’s a very smart guy. I’ve known him for a very long time.”
Trump has previously sought to court Kennedy’s support and encourage the former Democratic presidential aspirant to drop out.
Days after the failed assassination attempt against Trump, a video leaked of a call Kennedy had with the 45th president who was seeking to woo him.
“Anyway, I would love you to do something and I think it would be so good for you, and so big for you. And we’re going to win,” Trump said in the call. “We’re way ahead of the guy.”
Kennedy later apologized for the leak. The two men have discussed the possibility of giving the scion a post in a hypothetical second-term Trump administration, the Washington Post reported.
Those discussions reportedly drew concerns among Trump aides that Kennedy would not be a great fit.
Meanwhile, Kennedy’s team made overtures to the Harris campaign but nothing came of it, according to his campaign manager Amaryllis Fox Kennedy.
“No one has any intention of negotiating with a MAGA-funded fringe candidate who has sought out a job with Donald Trump in exchange for an endorsement,” a Democratic National Committee source previously told The Post.
