Donald Trump said Tuesday he would 鈥渃ertainly be open鈥� to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. playing a role in his administration if the independent candidate drops out of the 2024 race and endorses the former president.
鈥淚 like him, and I respect him,鈥� Trump told CNN鈥檚 Kristen Holmes in an interview after a campaign stop in Michigan.
鈥淗e鈥檚 a brilliant guy. He鈥檚 a very smart guy. I鈥檝e known him for a very long time,鈥� the Republican presidential nominee said. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 know he was thinking about getting out, but if he is thinking about getting out, certainly I鈥檇 be open to it.鈥�
Trump鈥檚 comments came after Kennedy鈥檚 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 one intended to reduce 鈥渢he risk鈥� that Vice-President Kamala Harris defeats Trump.
Trump said he would 鈥渓ove that endorsement, because I鈥檝e always liked鈥� Kennedy.
Asked if he would consider appointing Kennedy to a role in his administration if he wins in November, Trump said he 鈥減robably would.鈥�
鈥淚 like him a lot. I respect him a lot,鈥� Trump said. 鈥淚 probably would, if something like that would happen. He鈥檚 a very different kind of a guy 鈥� a very smart guy. And, yeah, I would be honored by that endorsement, certainly.鈥�
The former president also downplayed the potential for backlash from Republicans for appointing Kennedy, who has taken a number of progressive positions.
鈥淚 like smart people, and Republicans like me,鈥� Trump said.
