Trump praises RFK Jr. as 'common sense guy,' says, 'He’s doing really well'

Former President Donald Trump praised potential Democratic presidential opponent Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as "a common sense guy" like himself and advised him to keep going in the Democratic primary race.

"Just hang in," Trump advised Kennedy during a short appearance Monday on the "The Howie Carr Show," Fox News reported. "He’s been very nice to me, I’ve actually had a very nice relationship with him over the years. He’s a very smart guy, and a good guy."

Trump's comments come as Kennedy has a higher favorability rating than his two other Democratic primary opponents, President Joe Biden and Marianne Williamson. Kennedy is also polling in double digits.

"He’s a common sense guy and so am I. So, whether you’re conservative or liberal, common sense is common sense," Trump said about Kennedy. "A lot of what I run on is common sense. He’s doing really well, I saw a poll, he’s at 22. That’s pretty good! That’s pretty good, doing very well." 

Many Republican strategists view Kennedy as a serious threat to Biden long-term. 

Republican operative Roger Stone said he predicts Biden will ultimately win the nomination, but it will be more difficult for him in the general election. 

"I think it'll be very rough within the current architecture of the Democratic Party for Robert Kennedy to beat Joe Biden," he said. "He's taken a lot of crap from the American political establishment for his outspoken and I think effective views. And I think it will help in the end soften Joe Biden up for his defeat by Donald Trump in the general election."

Madeleine Hubbard is an international correspondent for Just the News. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram.