Former President Trump said Thursday he had “no idea” whether Robert F. Kennedy Jr. would endorse him, but that it was “possible” the two could meet on Friday in Arizona.
The comments, made on Fox News minutes after Vice President Harris finished speaking at the Democratic National Convention, came amid rumors that Kennedy was planning to end his third-party presidential bid during a speech in Arizona on Friday and endorse Trump.
“I don’t know if he’s going to endorse me,” Trump said, “I know he’s holding press conferences. We happen to be in the same state of Arizona.”
“We are in the same state but in very different parts of the state. But we may meet tomorrow and discuss,” he added.
Trump and Kennedy’s Arizona speeches are 10 miles apart: Trump is scheduled to speak at a Turning Point Action event in Glendale later Friday afternoon, while Kennedy is scheduled to speak “about our current historical moment and the path forward.”
Sources within the Trump and Kennedy campaigns say there are indications that Kennedy may back down and support Trump, but caution that nothing has been confirmed yet.
Kennedy and the Trump team are still in negotiations, with Kennedy seeking a post in a second Trump administration. He is also considering the objections of his wife, Cheryl Hines, who “really doesn’t want” to support Trump.
In a press release on Thursday, the Trump campaign also teased a surprise guest at the Phoenix rally.
“President Trump will host special guests and share his America First policies and vision for lowering inflation and the cost of living, securing our borders, and making our cities safe,” the Trump campaign said in a press release.
When reporters asked Thursday whether Kennedy would endorse Trump, Trump said he didn’t know but would be honored if he did.
On Thursday, the Kennedy campaign also formally withdrew from the Arizona ballot, the clearest sign yet that Kennedy is planning to pull out.
Democrats initially viewed Kennedy as more of a threat than Republicans, but polls in the spring began to show Kennedy garnering votes from both President Trump and President Biden. Since Biden dropped out of the race, polls have shown Kennedy garnering more support from President Trump than from Harris.
According to the latest Decision Desk average, Harris leads Trump in a head-to-head race with 49.3% approval rating, nearly three points, compared to Trump’s 46.7%.
In the three-way race that also included Kennedy, Harris fell one point to 48%, while Trump was down nearly three points to 44% and Kennedy received 3%.
Harris campaign spokesman Michael Tyler denied concerns that Ms Kennedy’s endorsement of Mr Trump would undermine the campaign, saying she was “backed by MAGA donors” and was simply parroting “MAGA talking points”.
“His withdrawal shows that this election is a testament to Vice President Harris’ determination to fight for the American people. [and] “Like I said, Donald Trump is just fighting for himself,” Tyler said.
