Nicole Shanahan, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s running mate, said in a new interview that the Kennedy-Shanahan campaign is faced with a choice between staying in the presidential race or taking a “risk” to help Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris win. left to “join forces” with former President Donald Trump.
After months of criticism from Democrats, it’s an open admission that Kennedy’s campaign was more concerned with helping Trump than running a truly independent presidential bid. It comes as the campaign continues to bleed money, despite a multi-million dollar cash injection from Shanahan himself.
During a new interview on the Impact Theory with Tom Bilyeu podcast, Shanahan criticized the Democratic Party for trying to “sabotage” their campaign, adding that “one of the biggest mistakes of my life” was supporting Democrats in the past. Admitting that he “recognizes how bad things are,” Shanahan said that “technically we can win” as he reflects on the way the campaign will move forward after a period of setbacks.
“We are taking very seriously the people who are corrupting our fair and free democracy out of office in November,” Shanahan said.
“The question is, do you know, is the risk of a Harris-Walz presidency worth our stay?” he continued. “And that’s the question we have to ask ourselves right now. One: Do we trust Trump and his personal integrity to really do the right thing for our country, to end chronic disease, to balance the budget, to end these perpetual wars? Will he continue to invite people like Bobby and me into the conversation? , or will he again be a victim of what he was a victim of in his first administration?”
While noting that the campaign could lay the groundwork for a more sustainable, new political party if it garners enough votes in November, Shanahan put a finer point on the internal debate the campaign faces.
“We are looking at two options, one remains, is to create a new party, but we face the risk of a Kamala Harris and Walz presidency, because we get votes from Trump or more votes than Trump,” he said.
“Or we walk away immediately and join forces with Donald Trump. You know, we walk away from it and explain to our base why we made this decision.”
It comes as comments Kennedy’s campaign faded from public view In the last month-plus, he has held several events and has dropped significantly in the polls.
The Democratic National Committee stepped up its efforts Against Kennedy and other third-party candidatesimmediately issued a statement condemning Shanahan’s comments.
“In a single interview, he introduced RFK Jr. as HHS secretary in the Trump administration, discussed his interest in running for governor of California in 2026, acknowledged that the Kennedy-Shanahan campaign did not have a path to victory, and raised the possibility of joining. Vice- forces with Trump to defeat President Harris,” said DNC communications adviser Lis Smith.
“We’ve said from the beginning of this race that RFK Jr. is nothing but a spoiler for Donald Trump, and we’re glad his running mate is finally admitting that,” Smith continued.