# RFK Jr Files to Run for President (Dropped Out on August 23, 2024) **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [April 6, 2023, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260 "2023-04-06T16:36:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 40
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2024, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/781 "2024-08-22T21:44:28Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > > [@Great\_Antibob](#): > > > > I could see Trump doing it if RFK Jr gave him a large donation when it came time to nominate somebody. > > No, not a donation, but instead a _gratuity_, which would be perfectly legal. Though I don’t think RFK Junior is rich enough to offer enough. Exactly. The Kennedy fortune has been diluted by the generations. I saw a net worth site say 15 million total but those sites are notoriously inaccurate. It wouldn’t surprise me if much of their day to day expenses are covered by his wife. How much does a falcon cost anyway? > [@Atamasama](#): > > > [@Buck\_Godot](#): > > > > The difference is that destruction of the Department of Education was a platform of the Republican party, while full on anti-vax is a strictly minority opinion even among Republicans ([22-49%](https://www.politico.com/news/2023/09/23/gop-voters-vaccines-poll-00117125) depending on the question). > > And I’m sure that dismantling the EPA is something most if not all Republicans would stand behind. You have a very good point here. Before the vax stuff Kennedy’s main focus was environmental issues which makes the Trump bedfellows even more strange. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2024, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/782 "2024-08-22T21:48:29Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Before the vax stuff Kennedy’s main focus was environmental issues which makes the Trump bedfellows even more strange. It’s impossible to believe that RFK Jr. _ **doesn’t** _ know that Trump and his Project 2025 buddies plan to remove each and every in-place protection for the environment. Making his endorsement of Trump, essentially, a proof that he never cared two cents about the environment himself. It was all a grift. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2024, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/783 "2024-08-22T21:52:05Z")
Or the worm is in charge. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2024, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/784 "2024-08-22T21:53:27Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Or the worm is in charge. . Maybe. But to the extent we give RFK Jr. a pass, I suspect we’re unfairly maligning the worm. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2024, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/785 "2024-08-22T21:59:58Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > > [@Loach](#): > > > > Before the vax stuff Kennedy’s main focus was environmental issues which makes the Trump bedfellows even more strange. > > It’s impossible to believe that RFK Jr. _ **doesn’t** _ know that Trump and his Project 2025 buddies plan to remove each and every in-place protection for the environment. > > Making his endorsement of Trump, essentially, a proof that he never cared two cents about the environment himself. It was all a grift. It’s hard to argue with that, and yet, he seemed quite proud of his record as an environmental lawyer. I’m not defending him by any means, I’m just saying that something strange may have happened to him. It’s odd for someone to accept and defend environmental and climate science yet be such an idiot about medical science. Maybe it’s his own medical issues that made him turn against it. Whatever the reason may be, he’s certainly unfit for any government office, but so is Trump. The difference is that Trump was never fit for anything, and JFK Jr was at least perceived, years ago, to be doing good work on the environment. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2024, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/786 "2024-08-22T22:10:35Z")
I’ll buy that, at least to an extent. I have to say that despite the good press RFK Jr enjoyed in past decades, I never really warmed up to him. There was always a certain ‘look at me’ quality in his interactions with the press. ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2024, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/787 "2024-08-22T22:25:03Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > It’s odd for someone to accept and defend environmental and climate science yet be such an idiot about medical science. Not so unusual. There is a certain class of back to nature hippy types that love the environment but hate modern medicine believing that traditional herbal remedies are always better. So I could imagine that RFK was one of those. But then it makes absolutely no sense for him to support Trump. So yeah, I’m figuring it’s [the worm](https://youtu.be/3i42Smtbmeg?t=128). ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2024, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/788 "2024-08-22T22:26:45Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > > [@smithsb](#): > > > > Who’s going to investigate, charge, send a special counsel? > > No one if Trump wins. But I’m starting to think he won’t. > > This law may be the most relevant: > > [18 U.S. Code § 599 - Promise of appointment by candidate](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/599) > > > [@](#): > > > > Whoever, being a candidate, directly or indirectly promises or pledges the appointment, or the use of his influence or support for the appointment of any person to any public or private position or employment, for the purpose of procuring support in his candidacy shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both . . . I suggested in a previous post that it was highly unlikely that such a case would be prosecuted at the federal level. [This article](https://rollcall.com/2010/06/21/whats-the-deal-with-job-offers-to-candidates/) discusses the situation, noting that questions came up during Obama’s presidency about alleged job offers in return for political favors (no charges were filed). Proving a _quid pro quo_ might be difficult unless the parties bragged about it, which isn’t outside the realm of possibility given the arrogance of the individuals involved. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2024, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/789 "2024-08-22T22:31:50Z")
> [@Buck\_Godot](#): > > > [@wolfpup](#): > > > > It’s odd for someone to accept and defend environmental and climate science yet be such an idiot about medical science. > > Not so unusual. There is a certain class of back to nature hippy types that love the environment but hate modern medicine believing that traditional herbal remedies are always better. So I could imagine that RFK was one of those. But then it makes absolutely no sense for him to support Trump. Yeah, Bill Maher would be an example of a back-to-nature type who strongly supports environmental issues and climate change mitigation but has an irrational aversion to medical science. But Maher is also vehemently anti-Trump. The pro-Trump aspect of Junior is hard to fathom and may be entirely opportunistic. Or dementia. One thing I do know about Junior from watching segments of different interviews is that he tailors his anti-vax views to the audience he’s talking to, moderating them for mainstream audiences and going all-out crackpot with others. That speaks to a certain amount of dishonesty. ---
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2024, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/790 "2024-08-22T22:39:36Z")
‘The worm has turned’ seems appropriate on multiple levels. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2024, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/791 "2024-08-22T23:27:22Z")
In breaking news, after RFKjr endorsed Trump, his brain worm endorsed Kamala Harris. ---
**Author:** ![zimaane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a3d4f5/32.png) [@zimaane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zimaane)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2024, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/792 "2024-08-22T23:29:06Z")
No comment from the dead bear dumped in Central Park. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2024, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/793 "2024-08-23T01:37:32Z")
IMHO, RFKjr was always running just to help trump. > [@zimaane](#): > > No comment from the dead bear dumped in Central Park. “Can you show me on this teddy bear doll where the creepy man touched you?” ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2024, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/794 "2024-08-23T17:45:25Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > One thing I do know about Junior from watching segments of different interviews is that he tailors his anti-vax views to the audience he’s talking to, moderating them for mainstream audiences and going all-out crackpot with others. That speaks to a certain amount of dishonesty. [_A certain amount_ of dishonesty???](https://www.factcheck.org/2023/11/scicheck-rfk-jr-incorrectly-denies-past-remarks-on-vaccine-safety-and-effectiveness/) ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2024, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/795 "2024-08-23T18:09:59Z")
> **[Trump campaign teases ‘special guest’ speaker ahead of rally in Glendale](https://www.azfamily.com/2024/08/23/trump-campaign-teases-special-guest-speaker-ahead-rally-glendale/)** > > Donald Trump will be speaking at a rally hosted by the conservative group Turning Point Action in Glendale at the Desert Diamond Arena on Friday. That “special guest” would be Junior, right? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2024, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/796 "2024-08-23T18:39:57Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > That speaks to a certain amount of dishonesty. Yes, like “the ocean is a certain amount of wet”. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2024, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/797 "2024-08-23T18:42:46Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > _A certain amount_ of dishonesty??? I was going for sarcastic understatement there! ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2024, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/798 "2024-08-23T19:20:06Z")
Not a hot mess at all: [https://www.washingtonpost.com/elections/2024/08/23/harris-trump-rfk-jr-election-updates/#link-G7HAIZWHRRB7VEENJYBNMUEJHM](https://www.washingtonpost.com/elections/2024/08/23/harris-trump-rfk-jr-election-updates/#link-G7HAIZWHRRB7VEENJYBNMUEJHM) Twin headlines: > Kennedy says in court filing he is endorsing Trump > The campaign of independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is distancing itself from a court filing Friday that suggested that he will endorse former president Donald Trump. But it does seem that he’s suspending his campaign. Which is good for us, and bad for bear cubs. ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2024, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/799 "2024-08-23T19:35:12Z")
I thought the consensus was he was hurting Trump more than Harris, which is why he was either going to suspend his campaign or endorse Trump, either of which would cause his supporters to mostly go back to Trump. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2024, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/800 "2024-08-23T19:37:32Z")
I suspect he’s gonna endorse Trump, only he didn’t want his thunder stolen, so when the attorney accidentally stole the thunder, RFK is like “NUH UH!” and then later today will endorse Trump. Compare to the DNC: one of these campaigns has their shit together. Edit: OOP! and there we go, in the time it took me to write that post, the prediction had come true. He just endorsed. WINNING! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260.md?page=39) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260.md?page=41)