The Stream

The Brew: Trump and Kennedy, the Handshake Heard ‘Round the World

By Al Perrotta Published on August 26, 2024 •

Al Perrotta

Happy Monday!

So much is going on, we better pour out this Brew fast.

RFK, Jr. Teams with Trump

On Friday, a Kennedy endorsed a Republican. In an historic speech, Robert F. Kennedy dropped his independent bid for the presidency with a scathing attack on the Democratic Party and the “censorship industrial complex,” throwing his full support behind Donald Trump.

“There are still issues and approaches upon which we continue to have very serious differences,” he said. “But we are aligned with each other on other key issues like ending the forever wars, securing the border, protecting freedom of speech.”

The two appeared together at a raucous rally Friday evening in Glendale, Arizona. It provided a stunning image — and I don’t mean the pairing of the two oddest tans in politics. This was a seminal moment in American political history. A realignment beyond Democrat and Republican. A teaming of those who believe in freedom and “We the People,” and those who don’t.

You could almost feel the ground shake across the political landscape.

Kennedy and Trump discussed two specific areas where RFK would be hands-on in a second Trump administration. First, Kennedy vowed that with his help, Trump will “Make America Healthy Again.”

Part of Trump was probably yelling, “Yeah! Yeah!” But likely another other part was thinking, “You’ll have to take my Big Mac out of my cold, dead hands.”

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Seriously, RFK, Jr. will head a commission to tackle chronic disease in children.

The two also are teaming on an issue close to Kennedy’s heart … and Trump’s ear. Trump announced his new BFF will lead a Commission on Assassination Attempts to fully investigate and release all records pertaining to the killings of RFK’s father and uncle, along with the attempt on his own life in July.

Of course, the big question is, “How does Kennedy joining forces with Trump impact the race?”

Calculating the Impact 

The New York Times believes the endorsement is “unlikely to change the race significantly.” But CNN anchor Erin Burnett called it “huge.”

“It is everything,” she said, noting Kennedy’s current polling in swing states is greater than the difference between Trump and Kamala Harris. CNN also suggested conservative-leaning mothers who have issues with Trump could be swayed by Kennedy. (Remember the promise to improve children’s health?)

So which is it? A nonevent, or the event?

First, you must remember that the 2020 presidential election was decided by roughly 40,000 votes across three states: Arizona, Wisconsin, and Georgia. With margins that ridiculously small, any benefit from RFK’s endorsement could be the difference between winning and losing.

But I suggest the impact will be much more extensive. First off, we can’t underestimate the psychology of the most prominent member of the Kennedy family teaming with Trump, signaling that the Democratic Party of John and Robert F. Kennedy is now completely dead. 

This isn’t like Nikki Haley or Ron DeSantis dropping out of the race to endorse Trump. This is Colonel Sanders saying, “Love that chicken from Popeyes.”

You’ve also got the cumulative impact of Kennedy joining other influential former Democrats like Elon Musk and Tulsi Gabbard, and how that can inspire other independently minded people to join up. For example, how long before top podcaster Joe Rogan joins the dance?

Eyes Opened and Angry

Another factor that makes this different than the usual endorsement: The people who’ve been busting their tails for RFK are furious about the way the Democrats treated him, from the lawfare keeping him off the ballot to failing to provide him with Secret Service protection despite the real threats against him and the horrible family history of assassination. They — along with his former running mate Nicole Shanahan — are highly motivated to crush the party that did their man harm. The great conservative activist and organizer Scott Presler is actively recruiting those volunteers and campaign staff to his registration drive efforts, and he doesn’t even need to lie to them that Beyonce is going to make an appearance to fire them up. 

We’re talking about adding a bunch of Derrick Henrys to the Trump ground game. (Sorry. Football reference to the powerful, opponent-smashing running back now playing for the Baltimore Ravens.)

Kamala Harris and Tim Walz Still AWOL

The Democratic National Convention wrapped up Thursday night … and has anyone seen Kamala Harris or Tim Walz since? Did their campaign plane fly over the Bermuda Triangle? Harris is now at 34 days without a sit-down interview or press conference since being put at the top of the Democratic ticket. Walz, who as the vice presidential nominee should be camped out on the Sunday morning news shows is … what, rescuing orphans in Ukraine? Conducting raids on Hamas strongholds? Running training camp for the Vikings?

Seriously, it’s understandable why Walz doesn’t want to face the TV cameras. Seems he’s been caught in yet another couple of lies. The latest is claiming Harvard University backed his class in China and that he won an award from the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce that he never earned.

Telegram CEO Arrested in France Because He Wouldn’t Censor People

One reason RFK, Jr. decided to join with Trump is to fight for free speech and free expression, which elites on the Left are hell-bent on shutting down both here and in Europe. As if on cue, Telegram founder Pavel Durov was arrested in Saturday upon arriving in Paris on a private jet. Why? Because he doesn’t censor the people billion people around the world who use his app.

According to the French, criminals are using Telegram’s encryption to plot all manner of deeds. Durov refuses to change his free speech policy, and thus is complicit in the crimes committed by those using Telegram. French media reports Durov was arrested as part of a “preliminary investigation” into the tech billionaire. 

Elon Musk, whose X is under a similar threat around the world, was quick to rush to Durov’s defense and push the #FreePavel hashtag. 

Rumble CEO Chris Pavloski, who’s under similar pressure from the French, announced he has left Europe and will be continue battling in French courts.

Said RFK, “The need to protect free speech has never been more urgent.”

Musk’s SpaceX to Rescue Stranded NASA Astronauts

The two NASA astronauts who have been stuck on the International Space Station because of issues with their Boeing Starliner craft will be coming home aboard a Musk SpaceX vehicle next February.

Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams were only supposed to be in space for a week-long test flight in June. However, vexing thruster problems and helium leaks have kept them stranded while engineers figured out whether the Starliner could return them safely to Earth. On Saturday, the decision was announced: The risk is too great. Instead, a SpaceX mission already scheduled for February is being adapted to make room for the two stranded astronauts.  

The Starliner will return to Earth unmanned in September.

Elon Musk wasn’t above trolling Boeing over the incident.

 

Along the Stream

Shane Idleman is back with “Politics: The Main Reason ‘Christians’ are Divided.”

Meanwhile, Nancy Flory steps to the plate with “Baseball Family: How to Develop Meaningful Relationships through Godly Qualities.” 

Coming up later, today’s serving of Al’s Afternoon Tea will feature reports on recent victories in the culture. 

 

Al Perrotta is The Stream’s Washington bureau chief, coauthor with John Zmirak of The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration, and coauthor of the counterterrorism memoir Hostile Intent: Protecting Yourself Against Terrorism.

 

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