Trumpworld eyes RFK Jr. endorsement as way to blunt Democratic momentum
As Democrats dominate the news cycle with grand convention speeches and displays of party unity, Donald Trump‘s campaign is hoping Robert F. Kennedy, son‘S forecast The departures and support dampened any gains after the vote. Kamala Harris could get. “Trump understands the numbers and knows that RFK’s support comes from Trump. This will give Trump a good boost,” said a top GOP strategist.
How much of a pop unclearbecause some Kennedy supporters are likely to sit out the race. But according to a person close to Trump, the campaign is projecting that Kennedy’s support could increase by two points in the key swing states of Arizona and Pennsylvania. In a tight race, that could tip the election in Trump’s favor. “He’s a very good guy. If he endorses me, I’d be honored,” Trump said. speak Thursday morning on Fox and friends.
Underscoring the significance of Kennedy’s expected exit, another source close to Trump said it would be disastrous for Trump if Kennedy remained in the race. “A third-party Bobby would crush him. They have the same number of voters,” the source said.
Trumpworld hopes Kennedy’s endorsement will reset a campaign narrative that has been turned upside down by Trump self-sabotage and growing enthusiasm for Harris. Sources close to Trump said campaign managers Susie Wiles And Chris LaCivita continue to encourage Trump to focus on policy rather than personal grievances. “There is a complete focus on the electoral map and trying to get him to deliver a better message,” said a top GOP strategist.
Their efforts to keep Trump focused may be complicated by Trump’s unpredictability. decision to hire a campaign manager in 2016 Corey Lewandowski as a senior adviser. Lewandowski, whose mantra is “let Trump be Trump,” is known for encouraging Trump’s wildest instincts. Lewandowski also has a well-documented history of being at the heart of the campaign internal strife and the theme of accuse of the attack and sexual misconduct(He has denied the allegations.) Lewandowski did not respond to a request for comment.
Lewandowski’s influence was on display at a raucous rally in North Carolina on Wednesday. On stage, Trump mock His advisers urged him to stick to policy. “You know, they always say, ‘Sir, stick to policy, don’t get personal,’ but they get personal all night long, these people,” Trump said, responding to the Democrats’ attacks. “My advisers have been fired,” Trump later joked. “No. We want to stay on policy. But sometimes it’s hard when you’re getting attacked from all sides.”
Another issue is that Democrats could tempt Trump into launching self-destructive attacks. The conference’s panel of speakers, including Mr. Barack And Michelle Obama, criticized Trump on stage in Chicago. In North Carolina, Trump said: “Did you see Barack Hussein Obama last night shooting little guns? He shot at your president and so did Michelle.” (Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Truong (dismissed the Obamas’ speeches as “baseless personal attacks from out-of-touch Democrats who have no real solutions to the problems facing ordinary Americans.”)
It will be days before the polls absorb the impact of the Democratic convention. But those in Trump world have been spreading the idea that the race hasn’t fundamentally changed. They’ve cited internal polls that show Harris’s support has “diminished” since her economic policies. speech last week. “We’re trending up in every swing state, according to our internal information,” one of the sources said. The source noted that Harris can’t win on emotion alone. “The Democrats aren’t giving any details. A secret plan to fix [Joe] Biden“The failure of ‘is not a message of victory,’” the source added.
Money remains a challenge for Trump. Harris up a whopping $310 million in July, according to its most recent fundraising report. The Trump campaign up less than half that amount over the same period. Earlier this month, Trump reported donors at a Hamptons fundraiser were disappointed when he returned to stolen election conspiracy theories. A Republican strategist said Trump’s new donors are scratching their heads over the strange things the former president has said. “New donors are seeing the real Donald and thinking he’s crazy,” the strategist said.
