Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s running mate, Nicole Shanahan, recently revealed that their independent presidential campaign is contemplating two significant options: either forming a third party or aligning with Donald Trump’s campaign. This decision is driven by their desire to avoid what they see as the “risk” of a Kamala Harris presidency.
Two Paths Forward: Third Party or Trump Alliance KennedyÂ
During an appearance on the Impact Theory with Tom Bilyeu podcast, Shanahan discussed the strategic crossroads their campaign faces. “There are two options that we’re looking at,” Shanahan explained. “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. Or we walk away right now and join forces with Donald Trump and explain to our base why we’re making this decision.” She acknowledged the complexity of the choice, describing it as “not an easy decision.”
Accusations of Democratic Sabotage KennedyÂ
Shanahan also accused the Democratic Party of deliberate sabotage, alleging that they have planted insiders in their campaign and manipulated circumstances to hinder their success. “Had we had a fair shot, we would have won,” she argued, pointing to what she sees as systemic efforts to undermine their bid, including shadow-banning, keeping them off stages, manipulating polls, and legal challenges in multiple states.
Kennedy’s Commitment to Dialogue
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Kennedy emphasized his willingness to engage with leaders from any political party to advance his goals. “As always, I am willing to talk with leaders of any political party to further the goals I have served for 40 years in my career and in this campaign,” he wrote.
Shanahan reinforced this openness by mentioning that their campaign has offered to discuss policies and potential cabinet roles with other political leaders, rejecting recent reports of negotiations with Kamala Harris’s team. She noted that former President Trump has shown interest in some of their policies, particularly those related to chronic disease, which makes a possible alliance worth exploring. “It behoves us to sit and see if we can actually make some real change, and if that is a unity party, I think that it is something that we absolutely owe to the American public to explore,” she said.
Ongoing Speculation and Future Moves
Media reports suggest that Kennedy, 70, has shown interest in endorsing Trump in exchange for a role in a future Trump administration. A leaked phone call from July hinted at Trump’s enthusiasm for such a collaboration, with Trump reportedly saying he would “love” for Kennedy to support him in some capacity.
As the Kennedy campaign weighs its options, the potential alliance with Trump or the formation of a new third party could significantly impact the 2024 presidential race.
