Robert F. Kennedy Jr. met with former President Donald Trump in Milwaukee just hours before Trump was officially named the Republican nominee. The meeting, facilitated by conservative commentator Tucker Carlson, was confirmed by Kennedy’s campaign, quashing rumors of his potential withdrawal from the race.
Kennedy’s campaign press secretary, Stefanie Spear, emphasized that the primary focus of the meeting was national unity. “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,” Spear stated. “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.”
The meeting, coming on the heels of the failed assassination attempt on Trump, added a layer of urgency and gravity to their discussion.
President Joe Biden’s administration responded swiftly to the assassination attempt by directing Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to provide Secret Service protection for Kennedy. This decision, long sought by Kennedy, was met with gratitude from the candidate. Kennedy acknowledged the move on social media, thanking President Biden for the protection amid the rising threats.
The political implications of this meeting are significant. While some speculated that Kennedy might endorse Trump, Kennedy himself cast doubt on this notion. “Lots of rumors going around about my meeting this morning with President Trump,” Kennedy wrote on social platform X. “Our main topic was national unity, and I hope to meet with Democratic leaders about that as well.”
An endorsement from Kennedy, who polls at 8 percent nationally, could potentially shake up the race.
