Former Presidential Candidate Reportedly Denied Offer To Be Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Running Mate

Former Democrat congresswoman and presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard told ABC News she denied an offer to be Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s running mate.

“I met with Kennedy several times, and we have become good friends,” Gabbard told the outlet.

“He asked if I would be his running mate. After careful consideration, I respectfully declined,” she added.

Tulsi Gabbard claims she rejected offer to be RFK Jr’s VP: ‘Didn’t work out’ https://t.co/P07rEi33rq pic.twitter.com/VquTjhEz7C

— New York Post (@nypost) April 2, 2024

ABC News reports:

Gabbard declined to explain why she turned down that offer, which has not previously been reported.

She is among an eclectic group of people whom Kennedy had considered for the role, including former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura and TV host Mike Rowe.

He announced at an Oakland, California, rally last week that he had chosen Silicon Valley lawyer Nicole Shanahan, whose younger age, work in health and artificial intelligence appealed to him.

Kennedy and his campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Gabbard’s statement. However, a person close to him told ABC News, “There were definitely meetings, but it didn’t work out.”

“We talked to a bunch of people,” this person added. “Tulsi’s a rock star no matter what.”

Gabbard’s name has been mentioned as a potential running mate for Donald Trump.

She previously told Donald Trump Jr. she would “be honored to actually be in a position to help President Trump execute his policies.”

Tulsi Gabbard confirms she turned down RFK Jr's offer to be his running mate, but admits she is still willing to serve if Trump asks https://t.co/OheZf4Ezfj pic.twitter.com/O8DVzWUaDm

— Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) April 2, 2024

From Daily Mail:

Gabbard, however, appears open to the idea of serving as vice president or as a cabinet member for former President Donald Trump.

She spoke about the possibility in an interview in March with journalist Tucker Carlson.

‘I would be honored to serve our country in that way or other ways and to be in a position to help President Trump if he is reelected to actually address these challenges,’ she said when asked if she would consider serving as a running mate for Trump.

Gabbard personally met with Trump within the last year and spoken with him on issues of foreign policy and the Pentagon, according to reports.

Many Trump supporters are fans of Gabbard’s views on a more restrained foreign policy abroad and see her as a running mate that would appeal more to Democrats or Independents disappointed with President Joe Biden.

Gabbard has also condemned the new ‘woke’ movement transforming the political left and frequently defends the right of free speech on social media.

She also sparked interest as a vice presidential nominee for Trump after she spoke at the Conservative Political Action Conference in February, praising Trump’s patriotism.

‘I’ve gotten a sense for what motivates him, and it’s got nothing to do with what the Washington establishment is accusing him of,’ she said about Trump. ‘This is a fighter, his strength and resilience can only come from one place: Sincere love of country.’

WATCH:

YOUR REACTION: Tulsi Gabbard (@TulsiGabbard) tells @DonaldJTrumpJr that she would be honored to serve as Trump's Vice President. I asked several people in Hawaii about her. Given that it's a Democratic state, the responses varied significantly.

NOTE: Tulsi Gabbard is from… pic.twitter.com/s4a99fnFp9

— Simon Ateba (@simonateba) March 14, 2024