Nicole Shanahan, the running mate of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and a key financial backer of his independent presidential bid, recently acknowledged the slim chances of their ticket winning the White House this November. During a podcast interview with Tom Bilyeu, released Tuesday, Shanahan discussed the campaign’s difficult path forward and even suggested that Kennedy might eventually support Donald Trump.
Two Paths for Kennedy’s Campaign: Stay In or Back Trump
Shanahan outlined two potential directions for their campaign. One option involves continuing their independent bid and potentially forming a new political party. However, she admitted that staying in the race might inadvertently help Kamala Harris and her running mate, Tim Walz, by drawing votes away from Trump. The other option, which she described as more pragmatic, is to withdraw from the race and endorse Trump, possibly securing a role for Kennedy in a future Trump administration.
Shanahan hinted at Kennedy’s possible future involvement in Trump’s administration, particularly in the Department of Health and Human Services, given Kennedy’s well-known skepticism of vaccines. She also expressed her own interest in running for office again after this election cycle.
Frustration with the Democratic Party
Shanahan didn’t mince words about her disappointment with the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and affiliated PACs, accusing them of undermining Kennedy’s campaign. “They have, unfortunately, turned us into a spoiler,” she said. “And we don’t want to be a spoiler. We wanted to win. We wanted a fair shot. The DNC made that impossible for us.”
Larry Sharpe, a political consultant for the super PAC supporting Kennedy, echoed Shanahan’s sentiments, describing her as feeling “betrayed” by the Democratic Party. Shanahan, previously involved at the donor level, was unprepared for the challenges she encountered when moving into a more active campaign role, according to Sharpe.
Discussions with Trump and Harris Camps
Kennedy’s campaign has also seen some behind-the-scenes negotiations with both the Trump and Harris camps. While Kennedy and Trump met during the Republican National Convention to discuss a potential endorsement, talks fell apart after a private conversation between the two was partially leaked. Shanahan noted that Trump has shown “genuine, sincere interest” in Kennedy’s policies, particularly regarding chronic diseases.
Additionally, reports indicate that Kennedy attempted to contact Harris’ campaign to negotiate a potential role in her administration, though no meetings were arranged.
Shanahan’s Focus Shifts Beyond 2024
As the Kennedy campaign continues to face obstacles, Shanahan has shifted her focus to long-term goals, including establishing a new political party that could be a serious contender in 2028. Despite the challenges, she and her team believe that Kennedy still holds significant sway over a portion of the electorate, which could play a decisive role in the upcoming election.
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