Former President Donald Trump and his Republican allies are facing a challenge from Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is running as an independent presidential candidate and gaining support in public polls and gaining access to ballots in various states. Trump’s campaign is increasingly concerned about the impact Kennedy could have on the election, especially as recent polls show that he could draw votes away from Trump as well as from President Joe Biden. Kennedy’s standing in some state polls and growing media attention, particularly among anti-establishment voters, has prompted Republicans to intensify efforts to prevent him from hurting Trump’s candidacy.
While Trump’s advisers and allies still believe Kennedy could hurt Biden more, they acknowledge that his influence on Trump’s campaign varies depending on the state. They do not see Kennedy as a serious threat to Trump but are focused on preventing potential Trump supporters from casting votes for the independent candidate. Some in Trump’s circle are worried about Kennedy qualifying for the presidential debates and believe that early debates could help keep him off the stage before he gains more momentum in the polls.
Trump’s team has developed a playbook to attack Kennedy and portray him as a liberal disguised as a conservative, citing his views on climate change and abortion as evidence of his progressive leanings. Despite this messaging, Trump’s own statements about Kennedy have been mixed – while he initially offered mild praise for the independent candidate, he has since escalated his attacks on Kennedy, calling him a “Radical Left Lunatic” and questioning his views on vaccines and environmental policy. The Trump campaign is aiming to amplify their message against Kennedy as his profile grows in the media.
Kennedy’s campaign has not yet commented on the attacks from the Trump campaign, but Trump’s advisers are keen on portraying Kennedy as a liberal and not a genuine conservative, in an attempt to dissuade conservative-leaning voters from supporting him. The campaign is emphasizing Trump’s message and willingness to separate personal feelings about Kennedy from his political views. Despite early speculation about Kennedy potentially being a running mate for Trump, the former president has distanced himself from such ideas and taken a more aggressive stance against his independent rival in recent months.
As the election draws closer, the battle between Trump and Kennedy is intensifying, with Trump stepping up his attacks on the independent candidate through social media platforms like Truth Social. It remains to be seen how Kennedy’s candidacy will impact the election, with concerns within Trump’s camp about potential damage to his campaign in key battleground states like Pennsylvania. With Kennedy’s rising popularity among anti-establishment voters and increased media attention, the Trump campaign is strategizing on how to mitigate any potential threat posed by the independent candidate.
