RFK Jr. sought meeting with Kamala Harris to discuss Cabinet role

WASHINGTON — Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently tried to set up a meeting with Vice President Kamala Harris, according to a source familiar with the outreach.

Kennedy sought a meeting to discuss possibly serving in her administration − particularly in a Cabinet post − should Harris, the Democratic nominee, get elected in exchange for his endorsement, the Washington Post first reported and the New York Times also confirmed.

Kennedy advisers reached out to the campaign last week but Harris and her aids did not respond to the request nor did they show interest in it, a source told USA TODAY.

Matt Corridoni, a Democratic National Committee spokesman, said, “No one has any intention of negotiating with a MAGA-funded fringe candidate who has sought out a job with Donald Trump in exchange for an endorsement.”

Kennedy told the Post in an interview Wednesday that, “I think it is a strategic mistake for them. That’s my perspective. I think they should be looking at every opportunity. I think it is going to be a very close race.”

More: RFK Jr. blocked from NY ballot after judge rules he provided ‘sham’ residency

He wrote Thursday in a post on X, formerly Twitter, Thursday that he has no plans to endorse Harris. “I do have a plan to defeat her,” he said.

In addition, a campaign adviser to Kennedy reached out to DNC chairman Jaime Harrison a few weeks ago about a potential meeting, but Harrison wasn’t interested and a meeting never happened, according to a another source familiar with discussions.

Stefanie Spear, a Kennedy spokesperson, in a statement said that “Mr. Kennedy is willing to meet with leaders of both parties to discuss the possibility of a unity government.”

The latest effort from Kennedy comes as his numbers in the polls have dropped since Harris entered the race. Some recent polls have shown Kennedy, the son of the late liberal icon Robert F. Kennedy, hurting Trump more than Harris in the election.

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The Post reported last month that Kennedy had talks with Trump about a possible Cabinet position in a future Trump administration in exchange for endorsing the former president. Trump and Kennedy met in Milwaukee during the Republican National Convention. In a leaked phone conversation between the two men, Trump talked about Kennedy’s future.

“I would love you to do stuff. And I think it would be so good for you and so big for you. And we’re going to win,” Trump told Kennedy.

A judge in New York ruled Monday that Kennedy cannot appear on the state’s November ballot because he provided a “sham” residency in his nominating petition by listing a New York address rather than his home in California. Kennedy has appealed the decision, but the ruling could pave the way for similar residency challenges in other states.