Donald Trump talks about assassination attempt, vaccines, and babies in leaked phone conversation with RFK Jr. | US News
Donald Trump attempted to persuade independent presidential candidate Robert F Kennedy Jr in a leaked video of a phone call, discussing the assassination attempt, vaccines, and babies.
Bobby Kennedy III shared the footage of the call, where Trump expressed interest in Kennedy’s involvement in the 2024 election race.
Mr Trump confidently stated, “We’re gonna win,” in reference to his competition against Democratic incumbent president Joe Biden.
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Current national opinion polls show Mr Trump at 42.4%, Mr Biden at 40.3%, and Mr Kennedy at 9%.
Originally a Democratic candidate, Mr Kennedy switched to running as an independent and has gained support from various political affiliations.
Rumors suggest that Mr Kennedy’s potential endorsement of Mr Trump was discussed in a call prior to their meeting at the Republican National Convention.
Following this, Mr Kennedy clarified on X that the main focus of their meeting was national unity and denied any plans of dropping out of the race or endorsing Trump.
His son, Bobby Kennedy III, shared the video of the call and mentioned that it occurred the day after the assassination attempt on the former president.
After Bobby Kennedy III removed his post, Mr Kennedy addressed the situation on X, offering an apology to Trump.
He stated, “When President Trump called me, I was recording with a videographer. I should have halted the recording immediately. I deeply regret the post and apologize to the president.”
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Mr Trump survived an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania with a bullet grazing his ear, during which another individual in the crowd was killed.
Mr Kennedy, son of former US attorney general Robert F Kennedy and nephew of former US president John F Kennedy, received Secret Service protection from Mr Biden following the incident.
During the call, Trump recounted the Pennsylvania shooting incident, describing the gunshot to his ear as “sounding like the world’s largest mosquito”.
The conversation also touched on vaccines, reflecting some of Kennedy’s earlier beliefs.
Despite spreading misinformation on vaccines, Trump and Kennedy discussed concerns about the impact of multiple vaccines on infants.
Perceived by the Democrat Party as a potential election “spoiler,” Kennedy’s candidacy is seen as a challenge for both Trump and Biden.