Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is reportedly expected to exit the 2024 race and may endorse former President Donald Trump for re-election.
According to ABC News, the independent candidate reportedly said "I will not confirm or deny" rumors of his exit from the race or potential endorsement of Trump.
"We are not talking about any of that," Kennedy reportedly said.
On Wednesday, Kennedy's campaign announced he would address supporters on Friday in Phoenix. I am going to address the nation this Friday.https://t.co/BqaMNq0hKn pic.twitter.com/N31edn01ki
— Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) August 21, 2024
On Friday, Trump will also hold a rally in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix.
Yesterday, Kennedy's running mate Nicole Shanahan indicated the campaign was weighing whether they would remain in the race to bolster support for a third party or exit the race and join forces with Trump to stave off a potential Kamala Harris presidency.
Shanahan later said she would "fully support" Kennedy's partnership with the Trump administration.
Later Tuesday, Trump was asked about Shanahan's remarks and the possibility of appointing Kennedy to a role in his administration.
“He’s a brilliant guy. He’s a very smart guy. I’ve known him for a very long time,” Trump said. “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.”
The former president said he would "love" Kennedy's endorsement, adding he "probably would" appoint Kennedy to a role in his administration.
“I like him a lot. I respect him a lot,” Trump continued. “I probably would, if something like that would happen. He’s a very different kind of a guy — a very smart guy. And, yeah, I would be honored by that endorsement, certainly.”
During a Wednesday appearance on The Benny Show, the former president's son Donald Trump Jr. expressed interest in Kennedy joining a future Trump administration.
Trump Jr. noted Kennedy and the Trump team had differing opinions on many topics, though said Kennedy would be a "great person to put on certain agencies" and "go to town."
"Let him blow stuff up. Let him fix the stuff. I mean, he's incredibly well-versed on a lot of things," Trump Jr. said, noting Kennedy, similar to the Trump family, may have some gripes with the federal government. "It also shows some unity that I'd love to see on these tickets." WOW.
Don Jr. just enthusiasitcally endorsed the idea of RFK Jr. joining the Trump Administration as potential CIA Director after speculation of his looming Trump endorsement grows:
"I could think of a dozen roles I'd love to see him in. I think that would be great." pic.twitter.com/jY0Uj4lNLp
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) August 21, 2024
The former president's son said the common goal between Trump, Kennedy, and others opposing the Democratic Party was the prevention of socialism and communism in the United States.
"I think it would be an incredible thing. I would love to see it," Trump Jr. said of Kennedy joining the Trump administration.
Host Benny Johnson then proposed appointing Kennedy to CIA director, to which Trump Jr. said he wasn't opposed to the idea.
"How about FDA, how about HHS?" Trump Jr. said. "Listen, there's a lot of places that a guy like that I think could do great."
"I could think of a dozen roles I'd like to see him in," he added.
