Trump secretly met with RFK Jr. in Milwaukee Monday morning to seek endorsement
Former President Donald Trump met this morning in Milwaukee with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to chat about RFK Jr. endorsing Trump, according to a report in Politico Monday night.
Asked about the meeting, Kennedy's staff confirmed that he'd met with Trump but denied that he plans to drop out.
“Yes, Mr. Kennedy met with President Trump today to discuss national unity, and he hopes to meet with leaders of the Democratic Party as well,” Kennedy's press secretary Stefanie Spear told Politico. “And no he is not dropping out of the race. He is the only pro-environment, pro-choice, anti-war candidate who beats Donald Trump in head-to-head polls.”
If Kennedy dropped out and endorsed Trump, it could seal the deal for the former president and ensure a Trump victory in November.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a prominent environmental lawyer and vaccine skeptic, is the son of former U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy and nephew of former President John F. Kennedy. Kennedy's campaign platform centers around opposition to COVID-19 vaccine mandates and broader skepticism of the scientific consensus on public health issues. He has falsely linked vaccines to autism and other conditions, making him a hero to the anti-vaccine movement but a pariah to much of the Democratic Party.
Kennedy also holds unorthodox views on climate change, distinguishing him from the party's mainstream.
Despite the Kennedy family's political legacy, RFK Jr. has never held elected office himself. His controversial positions and confrontational style are likely to limit his appeal beyond a devoted base of supporters. Most analysts view his presidential bid as more of an effort to raise his profile and influence the Democratic discourse rather than a realistic path to the nomination.
Kennedy's campaign faces steep odds against the well-established Biden and other potential candidates. Kennedy's presidential run appears more symbolic than substantive in the broader 2024 race.