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RFK Jr. wants government job in return for Trump support, says Super PAC

CHICAGO, Aug 21 (Reuters) – Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. wants a deal with Donald Trump in which he supports his Republican rival in return for a job in a possible Trump administration, a Kennedy-supporting super PAC told Reuters on Wednesday.

Kennedy's campaign said Wednesday that he would address the nation in Arizona on Friday to speak “about the current historical moment and his path forward.”

Kennedy plans to drop out of the election and support Trump, but that depends on whether the Republican offers Kennedy “and others” a White House position if he is elected, Larry Sharpe, outreach director for American Values ​​​​2024, told Reuters.

Trump told CNN this week that he would “certainly be open” to Kennedy playing a role in his administration if the independent candidate drops out of the race and endorses him.

Kennedy also wants Trump to allow his political movement to continue in some way, which could include keeping it on the ballot in some states, Sharpe said.

ABC News had previously reported on Wednesday, citing unnamed sources, that Kennedy planned to drop out of the race by the end of the week and support Trump.

Super PACs, political action committees, can raise unlimited amounts of money for candidates but are not allowed to work directly with the campaign. American Values ​​​​has raised over $50 million in support of Kennedy through June 30, according to Federal Election Commission filings.

The Kennedy team declined to comment.

Kennedy's running mate Nicole Shanahan told Los Angeles-based media outlet Impact Theory on Tuesday that he was considering ending his campaign to work with Trump.

Trump had previously sought Kennedy's support, according to a phone call leaked to Reuters and other media in July. In the interview published Tuesday, Shanahan said Trump had shown interest in the pair's health care policies and that it was worth considering forming a “unity party.”

The 70-year-old Kennedy, son of the late Democratic politician Robert F. Kennedy and nephew of the late President John F. Kennedy, began his presidential campaign as a Democrat and challenged President Joe Biden for the nomination.

Kennedy is an environmental activist who has spread misinformation about vaccines and is not yet eligible to run in many states.

Kennedy's support was 4% in an Ipsos poll conducted this month, up from 10% the previous month.

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Reporting by Stephanie Kelly and Jasper Ward; Editing by Eric Beech, Lisa Shumaker, Jonathan Oatis, Heather Timmons and Deepa Babington

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A New York-based correspondent for the U.S. crude oil market and a member of the Energy team since 2018, covering oil and fuel markets and federal renewable fuels policy.

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