The operating mate of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who’s pursuing an unbiased bid for president, says the marketing campaign is contemplating exiting the race and backing former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, within the November election.

Nicole Shanahan, a rich California lawyer and Kennedy’s choose for vp, made the feedback on an episode of the podcast Affect Principle posted Tuesday, because the marketing campaign struggles with slumping ballot numbers and lackluster fundraising.

“There’s two choices that we’re taking a look at,” Shanahan stated. “One is staying in, forming that new get together, however we run the danger of a Kamala Harris and [Tim] Walz presidency, as a result of we draw votes from Trump or we draw someway extra votes from Trump. Or, we stroll away proper now and be a part of forces with Donald Trump. We stroll away from that and we clarify to our base why we’re making this resolution.”

Kennedy initially launched his marketing campaign as a bid to problem President Joe Biden for the Democratic nomination, however later introduced he would run as an unbiased candidate.

Shanahan, whom Kennedy selected as his operating mate in March, heads a charitable basis and was beforehand married to Google co-founder Sergey Brin.

The marketing campaign didn’t instantly reply to NPR’s request for remark Wednesday, however it introduced that Kennedy would ship a speech on Friday in Phoenix “in regards to the current historic second and his path ahead.”

In current months, Kennedy and Shanahan have struggled to boost cash and get their names on the poll in each state. Kennedy is down to five% assist within the newest NPR/PBS Information/Marist ballot, from earlier this month, and his marketing campaign hasn’t held any current public occasions.

Trump informed CNN in an interview on Tuesday following Shanahan’s feedback that he would take into account giving Kennedy a task in a possible second Trump administration if Kennedy dropped out and endorsed him.

“I like him, and I respect him,” Trump informed the outlet. “I did not know he was eager about getting out, but when he is considering getting out, definitely I would be open to it.”

Trump can also be scheduled to be in Arizona on Friday.

In a publish on X Tuesday, Kennedy stated he’s “keen to speak with leaders of any political get together to additional the objectives I’ve served for 40 years in my profession and on this marketing campaign.”