Could a potential merger between Mar-a-Lago and Camelot capture the hearts of American voters? That is the question on former President Donald J. Trump’s mind as he explores his options for a running mate. According to sources familiar with the discussions, Mr. Trump has been inquiring about the possibility of selecting Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as his Vice President.
Despite Mr. Trump’s interest in Mr. Kennedy, insiders do not view him as a serious contender for the position. Mr. Kennedy, a member of a prominent Democratic family, is already running as an independent candidate and has stated that he has no intention of joining forces with the former president.
When asked about the prospect, Mr. Kennedy responded, “I’m flattered by the thought, but it’s not something I would consider.” This indicates that Mr. Trump is still in the early stages of his vice-presidential selection process.
Mr. Trump has been exploring various potential running mates in recent weeks, leaving some with the impression that he has not yet settled on his top choices. The vetting process has begun, but a final decision is not required until the Republican National Convention in July.
Some close to Mr. Trump believe that an early selection could aid in fundraising and campaigning, particularly on days when he is dealing with legal challenges. In 2016, Mr. Trump announced his running mate just before the convention.
Mr. Trump’s interest in Mr. Kennedy seems to stem from the potential branding power of combining their well-known last names on a single ticket. He has sought opinions on whether this union could create a unique political appeal.
Mr. Trump has always been fascinated by the Kennedy political dynasty, often drawing parallels between himself and John F. Kennedy. He sees potential in a “Trump-Kennedy” pairing and has expressed his liking for the idea.
Despite his interest, Mr. Trump’s consideration of Mr. Kennedy as a running mate contradicts the public attacks he and his supporters have launched against the independent candidate.
In a recent Wall Street Journal poll across battleground states, Mr. Trump leads with 39% support, followed by Mr. Biden at 36% and Mr. Kennedy at 11%. Democrats are concerned about Mr. Kennedy’s potential to disrupt the election and have taken steps to limit his impact.
Mr. Kennedy, who initially sought the Democratic nomination, has adopted positions that appeal to conservatives, complicating the political landscape. His candidacy has sparked efforts to prevent him from gaining traction among left-leaning voters.
Jonathan Swan contributed reporting from Washington, and Rebecca Davis O’Brien from New York.
