The Inside Story of Donald Trump and RFK Jr.’s Alliance

Also-Ran, Also Weird • Another Trump Incident • Pop-Rock the Vote [View in your browser]( | [Update your preferences](newsletter=vf) [Vanity Fair Hive logo image]( The Inside Story of Donald Trump and RFK Jr.’s Alliance Good morning. There’s been a lot of talk lately about Robert F. Kennedy Jr., but did you know getting Kennedy and Donald Trump to forge an alliance almost didn’t happen? Gabriel Sherman [details]( the breakthrough that occurred after the assassination attempt on Trump’s life when Tucker Carlson put Trump and Kennedy on a text thread, according to a person briefed on the communications. “On a phone call the following day, Trump courted Kennedy by endorsing Kennedy’s unproven view that vaccines hurt children.” The relationship hit a hurdle after Kennedy’s son posted a recording of the call. But then the two came back together. “The deal-breaker was that Kennedy needed to be on Trump’s transition team.” In other RFK Jr. news, Eric Lutz [writes]( on how Kennedy, after fighting to get his name on the ballot, can’t seem to get off the ballot in some key swing states. He urged Trump voters Friday not to vote for him. Plus, Bess Levin [updates]( us on the Trump campaign’s “verbal and physical altercation” with an Arlington National Cemetery official. Thanks for reading. [Image may contain: Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Accessories, Formal Wear, Tie, Adult, Person, Body Part, Hand, Clothing, and Hat]( [The Inside Story of Donald Trump and RFK Jr.’s Alliance]( By [Gabriel Sherman]( [Tucker Carlson and Roger Stone are said to be among the Trump allies supporting a pact with Kennedy, who, sources say, was finally swayed with a transition role. “There was no quid pro quo of any kind,” Kennedy tells Vanity Fair.]( [Read more button](   [RFK Jr. Goes Full MAGA]( By [Eric Lutz]( [But the also-ran conspiracy-laden independent can’t seem to get his name off the ballot in some key swing states.]( [Read more button](   [The Trump Campaign Had a Characteristically Classy “Incident” at Arlington National Cemetery: Report]( By [Bess Levin]( [The event occurred less than two weeks after Trump claimed a civilian award was better than a military one.]( [Read more button](   [Taylor Swift Fans Are in Their Voting Era as Elizabeth Warren Joins Swifties for Kamala Kickoff]( By [Kase Wickman]( [Carole King surprised viewers with a rendition of “Shake It Off,” politicians shared their favorite tracks, Senator Ed Markey told us all about “kahhhhh-ma,” and the group raised over $100K in just a few hours.]( [Read more button](   [In Separated, a Tragic Trump Policy Meets One of America’s Toughest Filmmakers]( By [David Canfield]( [Errol Morris uncovered thousands of documents and interviewed crucial figures for his unsparing documentary about the family-separation crisis: “It’s a study in a certain kind of fascism.”]( [Read more button](   Get on the list Subscribe to our Hollywood newsletter for your essential industry and awards-season news, every day. [Sign Up Now](   [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [LinkedIn](   This e-mail was sent to you by The Hive. To ensure delivery to your inbox (not bulk or junk folders), please add our e-mail address, vanityfair@newsletter.vf.com, to your address book. View our [Privacy Policy]( [Unsubscribe]( Sent from Condé Nast, 1 World Trade Center, New York, NY 10007 Copyright © 2024 Condé Nast