Donald Trump 'is still keen on RFK Jr as potential running mate because he's so enraptured by thought of iconic Kennedy surname on his ticket'

GOP frontrunner Donald Trump is reportedly enraptured by thought of the iconic Kennedy surname gracing election tickets next to his name, and is thus considering making Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr his running mate.

Word of the prospective merger come from two people familiar with the matter who spoke to The Seattle Times, less than a week after JFK's 70-year-old nephew claimed during a TV interview that Joe Biden is a greater threat to democracy than Trump.

They said those close to the aspiring two-term president do not view Kennedy as a true contender, and that Trump, 77, has repeatedly asked his advisers about the prospect, especially in recent weeks.

Kennedy, in turn, turned down the reported olive branch, telling the Times in a text message that while flattering, him being Trump's No. 2 is never going to happen.

Still, Trump's reported queries to advisers and associates shows that he is still mulling who will be his right hand come November, and may be looking to do away with potential spoiler RFK simultaneously. 

Insiders said those around him still have no clue whom he will decide on - as RFK on Friday made his stance known.

Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. His rival, Republican Donald Trump, is reportedly considering making him his running mate

Trump, 77, has repeatedly asked his advisers about the prospect of a Kennedy-Trump merger in recent week, sources said Friday

RFK JR, then 7, lifts a salamander named Shadrach from a vase in Uncle John F. Kennedy's presidential office March 11, 1961. Trump's reported queries to advisers and associates shows that he is still mulling who will be his right hand, and may be looking to do away with potential spoiler RFK simultaneously

'I'm flattered by the thought, but it's not a course I would consider,' Kennedy - seen in vintage photos with his late uncle and his aunt Jackie O. - told the paper via text.

One of the two insiders, meanwhile, divulged how Trump has long been intrigued by the Kennedy political dynasty. 

'I like Trump-Kennedy,' the former president recently told one person of a linkup between him and the Kennedy scion. 'I like the way that sounds.'

Moreover, the sources cited how Trump, during his term, often bragged to visitors about sitting at the same Oval Office desk as John F. Kennedy, a man who - more than six decades after his passing - as surfaced as a symbol of Democratic royalty.

He also regularly invoked the name of the Cuban Missile Crisis hero during White House events, though last week, criticized the former Democrat's views on climate change, in an attempt to paint him as more radical than 81-year-old Biden.

'RFK Jr. is the most Radical Left Candidate in the race, by far. He’s a big fan of the Green New Scam, and other economy killing disasters,' Trump wrote on Truth social March 27 at 2am.

'I guess this would mean he is going to be taking votes from Crooked Joe Biden, which would be a great service to America,

RFK Jr. last week unveiled millionaire Silicon Valley lawyer and tech entrepreneur Nicole Shanahan as his vice presidential pick. The attorney runs a firm focused on addressing things like reproductive longevity, criminal justice reform and a healthy planet, per its website

Kennedy has accused President Joe Biden of threatening the First Amendment and Democracy by trying to censor social media. He turned down Trump's alleged olive branch

The ex-president's consideration appears to go against a series of attacks wages toward Kennedy in recent weeks, including this Truth Social post that  criticized the Democrat's views on climate change, in an attempt to paint him as more radical than 81-year-old Biden

'His running mate, Nicole Shanahan, is even more ‘Liberal’ than him, if that’s possible,' he went on, bringing up the Bay Area attorney who runs a private tech firm focused on addressing things like reproductive longevity, criminal justice reform and a healthy & livable planet, according to its website.

'Kennedy is a Radical Left Democrat, and always will be,' Trump concluded. 

'It’s great for MAGA, but the Communists will make it very hard for him to get on the Ballot. 

'Expect him, and her, to be indicted any day now, probably for Environmental Fraud.'

The comments appeared to obliquely address the litany of cases the Republican is currently facing, seemingly suggesting his own legal woes should have the Kennedy descendant worried.

However, in the span of a few words, he quickly changed tune - claiming he is happy Kennedy is running, as it would take away votes from his real rival, Joe Biden.

'I love that he is running!' Trump said. 'He is Crooked Joe Biden’s Political Opponent, not mine.' 

RFK Jr. (pictured with his mother ether and sister Rory) has downplayed his family's very public rejection and their support of Joe Biden. He plans to play spoiler to both his opponents

RFJ Jr is seen with his father Robert Kennedy, on the grounds of his home in McLean, Virginia. Insiders on Friday said Trump has long been intrigued by the Kennedy political dynasty.

Robert F. Kennedy and his family return to New York after a trip to Europe. His wife Ethel, and children Joseph Patrick II, Robert Francis, Jr., and Kathleen stand with him

Trump also regularly invoked the name of the Cuban Missile Crisis hero (at left) during White House events, but last week, criticized his nephews's views on climate change, in an attempt to paint him as more radical than 81-year-old Biden

A day earlier, Kennedy claimed his renewed campaign as an independent would serve as not only a 'spoiler' for Biden, but Trump as well - responding to comments aired by Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Austin Davis on a conference call with reporters organized by the DNC.

During the call, the official criticized Kennedy's attempt to steal votes away from Biden as 'lame.'

Kennedy responded: 'Our campaign is a spoiler. I agree with that. 

'It is a spoiler for President Biden and for President Trump.'

Trump's alleged curiosity about Kennedy as a running mate, meanwhile, looked to undermine his repeated attacks, as polls in battleground states show a great deal of contention over their preferred candidates.

In a Wall Street Journal poll published this week, Trump had support from 39 percent of voters across seven key battleground states, compared with 36 percent for Biden.

Moreover, 11 percent of prospective voters pegged Kennedy as their preferred president - a number that demonstrates that while not a frontrunner, a candidate such as Kennedy could very well make a difference.

RFK Jr.'s own mother Ethel is said to be the influence behind the family's decision to support Joe Biden over his presidential campaign, sources tell DailyMail.com 

Davis, however, dismissed this dynamic - despite Trump in recent weeks reportedly viewing it as perhaps influential enough to make his rival a friend.

“'He’s a spoiler. He’s tried to coast on his family legacy and the goodwill they have in the African American community,' Davis said of Kennedy on the DNC conference call March 27. 

'But the Kennedy family has denounced this lame attempt, and they’ve quite frankly stood with President Biden.' 

Kennedy has been running for president as an independent since last year, and last week brought on Shanahan as a running mate.

As of writing, he seems content to continue on with his campaign, despite not sporting the numbers necessary to beat out his two opponents. A third party or independent has never won the presidential election in the US.