The Trump campaign thought it would be a great idea to promote the candidacy of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. for the Democratic nomination. After all, RFKjr has the name of an iconic Democratic family and his revered father, so his presence would surely bring chaos to the Democratic proceedings. Even better, RFKjr would then run as an independent on the November ballot, and surely would take votes from the Democratic nominee. It was brilliant!
But Trump would FAFO! Turns out, in addition to being a batshit antivaxxer, RFK is straight-up nuts and publicly shunned by his famous family. He admits to having his brain eaten by worms, to having eaten roadkill, and to dumping a bear carcass in Central Park, evidently to cover up his DUI killing of the bear. His irritating vocal distortions are his most endearing quality.
With his polling numbers plunging down into the low single digits, RFKjr decided he had milked what he could from his candidacy, so he began trying to sell himself to the highest bidder. He offered to drop out of the race in trade for a promise of a job with the prospective new administration. Apparently, being born rich and famous is no longer enough in today’s America. One must also invent a resume by grifting an unearned, government paid job, despite lacking any desirable skills or credible credentials.
He made the offer to Kamala Harris, but her campaign declined to take his call. Being the man of conviction that he is, he then turned around and made the same offer to Donald Trump, also a man of conviction (34 and counting).
Trump told CNN that he’s prepared to take RFKjr up on his offer. One might fairly ask why he would do this, considering he created the monster specifically to take votes from the Democrats. As Trump found out, and as supported by polling results, RFKjr primarily appeals to stupid or crazy people, thus taking most of his votes directly from the Trump base. RFKjr staying in the race could cost Trump perhaps 1% or more, which, in a tight race, could make all the difference.
So Trump has said he is “certainly” open to bringing RFKjr aboard the Trump train and giving him a role in the administration, in trade for his dropping out of the race and publicly endorsing Trump. Two masters of the transactional grift are colluding like a pair of black holes crashing together in a mutual death spiral.
“I like him, and I respect him,” Trump told CNN’s Kristen Holmes. “He’s a brilliant guy. He’s a very smart guy. I’ve known him for a very long time. I didn’t know he was thinking about getting out, but if he is thinking about getting out, certainly I’d be open to it.” Trump said he would “love that endorsement”.
Trump’s comments came after Kennedy’s running mate, Nicole Shanahan, said on a podcast posted Tuesday that the Kennedy campaign is considering dropping out of the race and endorsing Trump. She described the decision as intended to reduce “the risk” that Vice President Kamala Harris defeats Trump. Presumably, had Harris taken RFKjr up on his offer instead of Trump, Shanahan would have described the decision as intended to reduce the risk of Trump defeating Harris. I’m sure his father RFK, and uncle JFK, are resting quietly knowing that RFKjr is continuing the tradition of selfless and principled devotion to serving the country.
In short, Trump created the RFKjr monster, then when the monster starting nibbling at his neck, Trump had to buy him off. FAFO.
