"Trump Seeks Endorsement from Kennedy"
Trump: "Kennedy Should Receive Secret Service Protection"
Former President Donald Trump, who was nominated as the Republican presidential candidate in the United States, has been confirmed to have met with independent presidential candidate Robert Kennedy Jr. Attention focused on whether Kennedy Jr. would withdraw and endorse Trump, but he expressed his intention to continue his campaign.
According to major foreign media including the political outlet Politico on the 15th (local time), former President Trump met with Kennedy Jr. on the morning of the same day in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, ahead of the Republican National Convention to discuss support issues. There was speculation that Kennedy Jr. might withdraw from the primary and publicly endorse former President Trump.
After the meeting became known, Kennedy Jr. posted on the social networking service X, "There are many rumors about my meeting with former President Trump this morning," adding, "Our core agenda was national unity, and I hope to discuss this with Democratic leaders as well." He then firmly stated, "I will not withdraw from the primary."
Stephanie Spear, a spokesperson for the Kennedy Jr. campaign, also acknowledged the meeting but said, "Kennedy will not withdraw from the primary," emphasizing, "Kennedy is the only environmentally friendly anti-war candidate who can win against former President Trump."
Kennedy Jr. has stood out as the only independent candidate showing double-digit support in some nationwide polls in a three-way race against President Biden and former President Trump. Politico evaluated, "If Kennedy Jr. declares support for former President Trump, it could be a significant boost." However, some polls showed that Kennedy Jr. relatively siphoned more support from former President Trump.
The Trump campaign declined to comment on the meeting. However, former President Trump wrote on Truth Social that day, "Considering what is happening in the world today, I believe it is essential for Kennedy Jr. to be protected by the Secret Service (SS)," adding, "Given the history of the Kennedy family, this is only natural." Kennedy Jr.'s father, former Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, and uncle, former President John F. Kennedy, were assassinated in 1968 and 1963, respectively.
U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas said on the same day, "As former President Trump's status changes from presumptive nominee to official candidate, the level of Secret Service protection will be enhanced," and regarding Senator J.D. Vance, who was nominated as the Republican vice-presidential candidate, "Appropriate protection will be provided once the election is confirmed." He also added, "Following the incident that occurred last Saturday, President Biden has ordered protection for Kennedy Jr." Kennedy Jr. had previously hired private security firms after his request for Secret Service protection was denied.
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