Campaign trail rumors suggest that people from the Donald Trump campaign reached out to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. early in the election season asking him to serve as Trump’s vice president—a claim that Trump now fiercely denies but the 70-year-old Democrat-turned-Independent insists is true.
On January 27th, the New York Post reported that people in Trump’s campaign had reached out to RFK Jr., asking him if he had interest in becoming Trump’s running mate. An anonymous source told the Post that “Trump operatives expressed an interest in Kennedy early on, but it was all premature … right out of the box when Bobby announced.” The source specified that the contact was made in April 2023. When asked if Trump could reach out again, the source said: “Anything’s possible. I wouldn’t write it off by any means.”
RFK Jr. allegedly turned the former president down and has consistently stated he has no interest in becoming Trump’s VP.
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Fox News also picked up the story. It eventually reached the ears of people in Trump World later that day, and Trump operative Chris LaCivita shot down the rumors as false.
“This is 100% FAKE NEWS,” he wrote. “- NO ONE from the Trump Campaign ever approached RFK jr (or ever will) – one of the most LIBERAL and radical environmentalists in the country. For all the fake news– update your stories.” Trump spokesman Steve Cheung also rejected the claim.
This is 100% FAKE NEWS – NO ONE from the Trump Campaign ever approached RFK jr (or ever will) – one of the most LIBERAL and radical environmentalists in the country. For all the fake news- update your stories. https://t.co/HYBJLqSux0
— Chris LaCivita (@LaCivitaC) January 28, 2024
Then, Trump himself took to Truth Social to clear the air on January 30th, writing: “He is by far the most Radical Left person running for office, maybe ever! Look at his environmental program, and close up the USA!” He also included a Breitbart article with LaCivita’s comments.
But Kennedy himself doubled down, claiming that Trump people absolutely did reach out to him despite their protestations.
“People from the team have reached out to me,” he told NewsNation. “I would not take that job. I’m flattered that President Trump would offer it to me, but it’s not something that I’m interested in.”
Timothy Mellon, a donor who has contributed at least $5 million to Kennedy’s SuperPAC, told the Post he had “heard the concept” previously and said “it’s not surprising.” A donor to both the Trump and RFK camps said there was a movement within Trump circles to push Kennedy. “It’s very much behind the scenes at this stage. As we progress you might see it bubble up a little bit more,” they said. “Bobby can bring new people to the polls.” Former Trump strategist Steve Bannon has also reportedly advocated for such a ticket, saying it would trigger a “massive landslide.”
Shane Devine is a writer covering politics, economics, and culture for Valuetainment. Follow Shane on X (Twitter).
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