RFK Jr. says he’s suspending his Campaign and backing Donald Trump for President
RFK Jr. says he’s suspending his Campaign and backing Donald Trump for President
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced on Friday that he was suspending his independent presidential campaign and endorsing Donald Trump. Kennedy explained that his own internal polling indicated his presence in the race would harm Trump’s chances and benefit the Democratic nominee, Kamala Harris. He cited concerns over free speech, the war in Ukraine, and what he described as “a war on our children” as reasons for his decision to withdraw from battleground state ballots.
“These are the main issues that led me to leave the Democratic Party and run as an independent, and now to support President Trump,” Kennedy stated.
However, Kennedy clarified that he is not formally ending his campaign and that his supporters can still vote for him in most states where their votes are unlikely to affect the outcome. He has taken steps to remove his name from the ballot in states such as Arizona and Pennsylvania.
Kennedy's decision follows discussions with Trump over recent weeks. His campaign had earlier indicated in a Pennsylvania court filing that Kennedy would be endorsing Trump, though a spokesperson later claimed this filing was made in error and would be corrected. Despite this, Kennedy reaffirmed his support for Trump shortly after.
Kennedy's campaign has also requested to be removed from the Pennsylvania ballot, although it remains unclear whether he is officially withdrawing from the race. His campaign spokesperson clarified that the filing endorsing Trump was not authorized by Kennedy and would be amended.
Kennedy had scheduled a speech in Arizona to discuss his current political stance and future plans, while Trump is hosting a rally in nearby Glendale, where a "special guest" is expected, though it is unclear if Kennedy will attend.
An endorsement from Kennedy could potentially provide Trump with additional support from Kennedy’s followers. This political shift marks a surprising turn, considering the Kennedy family's long-standing association with Democratic politics. Just a year ago, it would have seemed unlikely for a Kennedy to align with Trump to prevent a Democrat, such as Vice President Kamala Harris, from winning the White House.
Kennedy’s decision comes amid a legal battle in Pennsylvania over his right to appear on the ballot. He has already secured a place on the ballot in several key states, including Michigan and Nevada. However, some states have indicated it might be too late for him to withdraw.
Both the Kennedy and Trump campaigns have increased their mutual praise and engaged in private discussions in recent weeks. They share concerns about the Democrats allegedly using the legal system to their advantage and have suggested a possible alliance to diminish Harris’s chances in the election.
Last month, during the Republican National Convention, a video surfaced briefly showing a conversation between Kennedy and Trump, in which Trump appeared to encourage Kennedy to support his campaign.
Trump has publicly expressed interest in receiving Kennedy's endorsement and has even hinted at offering Kennedy a role in his administration if he withdraws from the race and supports him.
Kennedy’s running mate, Nicole Shanahan, has also suggested the possibility of aligning with Trump, implying Kennedy could be a suitable candidate for a position in Trump’s administration, such as Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Kennedy Jr., son of former Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy and nephew of former President John F. Kennedy, initially entered the 2024 presidential race as a Democrat but later left to run as an independent. Despite his initial popularity, fueled by anti-establishment voters and vaccine skeptics, his campaign has faced financial difficulties and legal challenges.
While Kennedy’s support has declined, with recent polls showing him in the mid-single digits, it remains uncertain how his withdrawal would impact the general election. Some polls suggest his presence in the race would hurt Trump more than Harris, as Kennedy’s supporters tend to have a more favorable view of Trump.
Harris’s campaign has welcomed the idea of gaining Kennedy’s supporters should he exit the race, appealing to those seeking a change in leadership and less government interference in personal decisions.
As Trump continues his tour of battleground states, he seeks to shift attention away from the Democratic celebration of Harris's nomination, emphasizing his policies on the economy, crime, national security, and the border. He will wrap up his tour with stops in Las Vegas and Glendale.
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