Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has earned a reputation as a conspiracy theorist.
He could be plotting to have another person like that appear on the bill with him. And a famous one at that.
Kennedy's campaign told the Times that the 70-year-old is considering New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers and former Minnesota governor and former professional wrestler Jesse Ventura as running mates along with others in a short list. The New York Times was the first to report it.
Citing “two people familiar with the discussions,” the New York Times also reported Tuesday that Kennedy contacted Rodgers and Ventura about the possibility and that “both welcomed the proposals.”
ABC News reported Wednesday that Kennedy told the network that he had chosen a vice president, but declined to identify the person. Kennedy is expected to make an announcement on the matter within weeks.
Rodgers, 40, has not spoken publicly about the reports and the Jets did not respond to questions from The Times for this story.
Pat McAfee, who frequently has Rodgers as a guest on ESPN's “The Pat McAfee Show,” said on Wednesday's broadcast that he doesn't think Rodgers would leave football for politics right now.
“This doesn't seem like a potential reality,” said McAfee, who had not spoken to Rodgers about the matter. “What seems like a reality is that this is a very standard offseason for Aaron Rodgers. Everything that was building for last year's Jets team and that feeling that he… because you remember the way he talked about how happy he was to get back in the building and love football again and all that… everything the subject, “Like that feeling he had, I think he'll look for that feeling again with the New York Jets this season.”
Ventura's son, Tyrel Ventura, said in an email to the New York Times on Tuesday: “No one has officially asked Governor Ventura to be a vice presidential candidate, so the governor does not comment on speculation.”
Kennedy and Rodgers have been vocal about their anti-vaccine stances.
Rodgers said on McAfee's show in October that he wanted to team up with “my man, RFK Jr.” in a debate about vaccines against Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce, who supports Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine, and former US chief medical advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci.
Later that month, Rodgers told McAfee, “I believe in medical freedom and informed consent, and I will vote for Robert Kennedy Jr.”
In February, Kennedy posted an X-ray photo of him walking with Rodgers. Earlier this month, Rodgers posted a Kennedy campaign video and wrote, “This is presidential.”
Kennedy is the son of Robert F. Kennedy, who ran for president before being assassinated by Sirhan Sirhan at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles in 1968 after winning the California Democratic primary. In 1963, his uncle, President John F. Kennedy, was assassinated.
The Jets did not respond to The Times' questions for this story and Rodgers has not commented publicly on the matter.
On his show Wednesday, McAfee said he will “try to get Aaron's answer on what his thinking is” about his fall plans.
While Ventura, 72, repeatedly urged people to get vaccinated and wear masks during the height of the coronavirus pandemic, both he and Kennedy appeared to have embraced conspiracy theories related to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States. Joined.
“I think the government hasn't been honest with us about it,” Ventura told the Times while promoting his truTV show “Conspiracy Theory” in 2009. “Yes, absolutely. That there are huge holes in the story they have told. That none of these issues have ever been adequately addressed.”
Kennedy told CNN last year: “I don't know what happened on 9/11. I mean, I understand what the official explanation is; I understand that there is dissent. “I haven't investigated it.”
