According to Robert Kennedy Jr.’s campaign, the Independent presidential candidate reached out to the Harris campaign with a quid pro quo offer: Kennedy would throw his support behind her in exchange for a Cabinet position, if she were to win the election.
The namesake of the most famous American political dynasty is reportedly looking at options after seeing his polling in the race drop off with the replacement of Joe Biden with Kamala Harris.
The Harris campaign has not responded or shown interest in the proposal.
“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,” said Lis Smith, an adviser to the Democratic National Committee.
One day after the fateful Biden/Trump debate, Kennedy staff attempted to reach out to Ron Klain, longtime Biden adviser, with an appeal for Kennedy to replace Biden on the Democratic ticket.
The message to Klain read:
“The Dems should nominate Kennedy. He is the only candidate under consideration who can beat Trump. Please give it some thought. Kennedy would win, the Dems would keep the White House, and Americans would avoid the Trump reprise that so many across this nation dread.”
Trump campaign advisers, who also spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe private conversations, said they are still in touch with Kennedy and his senior team, and some of the advisers are expecting Kennedy to drop out and endorse Trump. In his pitch to Trump in Milwaukee, he also discussed a Cabinet-level job.
Following the ear-injury in late July, Kennedy denied speaking with Trump about a cabinet position.
Kennedy says he is currently continuing to campaign with the expectation that he will defeat both Trump and Harris, but is open to the possibility of bowing out of the race if he finds another way to bring about the change he seeks in the country, his advisers say.
