Scoop: RFK Jr.'s PAC stirs, fueling speculation on a 2028 campaign
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Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s super PAC head co-hosted an organizing call for supporters and influencers last week, stirring speculation that Kennedy's positioning for a run at the White House in 2028.
Why it matters: Last Wednesday's Zoom call involving hundreds of RFK Jr. supporters was aimed at energizing his grassroots "Make America Healthy Again" movement and discussing ways to build enthusiasm for the Health and Human Services secretary.
- A 2028 presidential campaign wasn't explicitly discussed, but two people with knowledge of the call came away believing it was a step toward another campaign for Kennedy, whose long-shot run in 2024 wound up helping Donald Trump to victory.
Driving the news: Those leading the call included MAHA PAC leader Tony Lyons, vaccine scientist-turned-skeptic Robert Malone, and Kennedy's top adviser Stefanie Spear, according to two people who were on the call and two others familiar with it.
- Entertainer Russell Brand and motivational speaker Tony Robbins also spoke on the call, two of the sources said.
- The call was organized by Lyons' non-profit group, MAHA Action. Several who were involved saw Lyons' participation as a sign the PAC would help prepare a campaign and fundraising machine in-waiting for Kennedy, to be ready if he chooses to run.
- Spear, a longtime Kennedy aide who is his top deputy at HHS, highlighted changes he has made at the agency and asked supporters to be patient as he pushes for more changes in health policy, two sources said.
During his tenure at HHS, Kennedy has persuaded several food companies to strip artificial dyes from their ingredients lists, pleasing health advocates.
- Kennedy also drew criticism for firing top scientists and creating a new, handpicked vaccine review board that was seen as a triumph by the vaccine-skeptical and anti-vaccine communities.
- Spear didn't respond to a request for a comment about the call, which lasted more than an hour.
Zoom in: Kennedy's robust network of "MAHA" grassroots supporters and online influencers propelled his independent campaign last year.
- Kennedy — the son of former Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy and nephew of President John F. Kennedy — would need to significantly build on his base if he decided to run again.
- During the 2024 campaign Kennedy polled as high as 15% in some polls. It was the best-performing independent bid since Ross Perot's in 1992, but Kennedy struggled with fundraising, gaining ballot access and growing his support base.
Between the lines: Financial pledges were taken during last week's call, two sources said, but Lyons did not comment about how much money was raised or the prospect of a 2028 campaign.
- Lyons started the American Values 2024 PAC to support Kennedy in the last election cycle. Lyons has since rebranded the group as the MAHA PAC, which aims to support a health "revolution."
- Lyons ran the 2024 PAC as its president, main fundraiser and patron of Kennedy's work. He's also Kennedy's publisher and gave away Kennedy's books at PAC events last year.
- He also has made inroads with the Trump family, publishing First Lady Melania Trump's memoir last fall.
Flashback: Kennedy's whirlwind entry into electoral politics last cycle began in the Democratic primary. He then quit his family's party to run as an independent before ultimately endorsing Trump.
The latest: Kennedy's candidate campaign account is still active with the FEC, and its latest filing released Tuesday indicated the campaign has paid its debts from 2024.
- It also showed a small number of "campaign consulting" and "administrative consulting" payments were made in June to a few contractors, including $21,000 to an LLC registered to the 2024 campaign's chief operating officer.
- The FEC's database indicates Kennedy's campaign account remains active and has less than $400,000 cash on hand.
What they're saying: "MAHA Action is focused entirely on building on the incredible momentum of the MAHA movement and amplifying the successes of President Trump and Secretary Kennedy in their historic attempt to reverse the chronic disease epidemic and Make America Healthy Again," Lyons said.
- Critics of Kennedy's efforts weren't impressed. "It's alarming to see a dark money super PAC wield campaign money to prop up a cabinet secretary," said Xavier Becerra, HHS secretary under President Biden.
- "No amount of slick messaging can cover up the fact that this administration is undermining vaccines, spreading conspiracy theories and eroding trust in our public health heroes who battle to keep our families safe."
