Former rivals RFK Jr and Tulsi Gabbard aiming for key White House roles if Trump reelected president
WASHINGTON, DC: Robert F Kennedy Jr and Tulsi Gabbard, former rivals on the 2024 campaign trail, are now eyeing influential roles in Donald Trump’s potential White House administration.
As Trump’s campaign gears up for the final stretch, sources reveal that both Kennedy and Gabbard have their sights set on positions of power, should the former president reclaim office.
RFK Jr eyes 'chronic disease' advocacy role, while Gabbard targets foreign policy
Robert F Kennedy Jr., known for his sharp critiques of public health policies, is reportedly eyeing a role that would allow him to tackle the issue of "chronic disease," a cause he’s long championed. Meanwhile, Gabbard, a former congresswoman with extensive military experience, has her focus on "foreign policy," an area where she believes her expertise could make a significant impact.
While the exact roles Kennedy Jr and Gabbard might fill remain unclear, their involvement is already causing waves. Both figures, who broke from the Democratic Party to become independents in 2023 and 2022, respectively, bring with them significant name recognition and could energize key voter blocs.
“You would have them have some input in your administration, which is what we’re talking about now with the transition. And then step two you would see — if you win — that’s the appropriate time to see where they can be most effective,” a source noted, adding that despite speculation, Kennedy’s role won’t “necessarily” be a Cabinet position.
Trump campaign's key focus is on November victory
Donald Trump’s campaign stated that the Republican nominee will determine who will fill his administration "when the time comes.”
“President Trump and his campaign are focused on victory in November to restore America’s greatness. When the time comes, President Trump will choose the best people to undo the damage Kamala Harris has done to this country and make America great again,” Trump adviser Brian Hughes stated, per New York Post.
Nevertheless, the Trump camp has brought the two into the fold, adding them to his White House transition team - a strategic move meant to showcase the broadening appeal of Trump’s coalition.
The back-to-back announcements of their involvement are intended to send a clear message: “If we’re really going to do unity, then you really have to figure out ways of how you’re going to do unity,” the source claimed.
With Kennedy Jr and Gabbard preparing to hit the campaign trail as Trump surrogates, their endorsements could prove pivotal in swing states where independent voters will play a crucial role.
Kennedy Jr's decision to suspend his own campaign and endorse Trump underscores the shifting dynamics of the race, as does Gabbard’s surprise endorsement at a National Guard event in Detroit, emphasizing Trump’s foreign policy achievements from his first term while addressing service members as a National Guard veteran.
