Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that attorney and tech entrepreneur Nicole Shanahan will be his vice presidential running mate in the upcoming election. Shanahan is known for her philanthropy and history of donating to Democrat and left-leaning causes, including supporting President Biden in his 2020 election bid before throwing her support behind Kennedy when he launched his own run for the Democrat nomination. Kennedy praised Shanahan for her insight into how Big Tech uses AI to manipulate the public, her athletic ability, and her willingness to be a partner in policy areas such as securing the border.
After initially withdrawing her support for Kennedy when he decided to run as an independent, Shanahan got back on board by giving $4 million to the super PAC boosting his campaign. She has also previously supported Democrat candidates Marianne Williamson and Pete Buttigieg in the 2020 presidential race, as well as Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon. Shanahan is the founder and president of the Bia-Echo Foundation, which focuses on reproductive longevity and equality, criminal justice reform, and a healthy planet. She was previously married to Google co-founder Sergey Brin and has one daughter from that marriage, but the marriage ended amidst reports of an affair with Elon Musk, which both parties deny.
Following her divorce from Brin, Shanahan met Jacob Strumwasser, who works for a bitcoin software company, and the two participated in a love ceremony last year to celebrate their commitment to each other. Shanahan’s wealth and connections to major donors are seen as beneficial to Kennedy as he seeks to improve his fundraising efforts. Kennedy highlighted Shanahan’s expertise in identifying abuses in government through neural networks, artificial intelligence, and cutting-edge science. He described her as a woman who grew up in Oakland, overcame obstacles, and achieved the American dream, as well as a fellow lawyer, brilliant scientist, technologist, and fierce warrior mom.
Shanahan’s selection as Kennedy’s running mate brings a unique combination of philanthropic experience, technological expertise, and support for progressive causes to the ticket. Her commitment to social justice, environmental sustainability, and innovation aligns with Kennedy’s goals for his presidential campaign. As they head into the general election, Kennedy and Shanahan will likely work together to address key issues such as AI manipulation, border security, and democratic freedoms. With Shanahan’s background in tech entrepreneurship and philanthropy, she brings a fresh perspective and valuable skills to the campaign.
As Kennedy and Shanahan hit the campaign trail, they will face challenges and opportunities in attracting support from voters across the political spectrum. Shanahan’s ties to major donors and history of supporting progressive causes could help boost Kennedy’s fundraising efforts and appeal to a broad base of supporters. Their partnership signals a commitment to addressing current threats to democracy and freedoms, as well as advancing innovative solutions to complex societal issues. With Shanahan’s unique background and expertise, she brings a fresh perspective to the ticket and offers a vision for a more inclusive and sustainable future.
