A Running Mate’s History: $1 Billion, Cocaine, a Fling With Elon Musk

🌈 Abstract

The article discusses the background and personal life of Nicole Shanahan, who was selected as Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s running mate in his presidential campaign, despite having no prior political experience. The article highlights Shanahan's wealth, stemming from her divorce settlement with Google co-founder Sergey Brin, as well as her past involvement with recreational drug use and a reported sexual encounter with Elon Musk.

🙋 Q&A

[01] Nicole Shanahan's Background

1. What is Nicole Shanahan's background?

• Nicole Shanahan is a lawyer who was previously married to Sergey Brin, a co-founder of Google.
• She has a fortune of over $1 billion, largely from her divorce settlement with Brin.
• Prior to her involvement in politics, she led a "rarefied and sometimes turbulent life in Silicon Valley", including partying with the tech elite and using recreational drugs like cocaine, ketamine, and psychedelic mushrooms.
• She had a sexual encounter with Elon Musk in 2021, which led to her separation from Brin.

2. How did Shanahan become Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s running mate?

• Shanahan was selected as Kennedy's running mate after his initial shortlist of Aaron Rodgers and Jesse Ventura fell through.
• Kennedy's campaign needed money to fund efforts to get on state ballots, and Shanahan's wealth from her divorce settlement made her an attractive choice.

[02] Shanahan's Unusual Background for a Political Candidate

1. How does Shanahan's background differ from a typical political candidate?

• Shanahan has never held public office and has little name recognition, which is unusual for a vice-presidential candidate.
• Her background includes a turbulent personal life in Silicon Valley, including drug use and a reported sexual encounter, rather than a traditional political or public service background.

2. What factors led to Shanahan's selection as Kennedy's running mate despite her lack of political experience?

• Kennedy's campaign needed funding, and Shanahan's wealth from her divorce settlement made her an attractive choice to help finance the campaign's efforts.
• Shanahan's unusual background and lack of political experience did not disqualify her from being selected as Kennedy's running mate.