Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an independent presidential candidate, has suspended his uncertain campaign for the presidency and instead endorsed former President Donald Trump, the Republican candidate. This announcement was made on Friday and followed weeks of speculation as Kennedy’s support dwindled in the polls.
During a campaign stop in Phoenix, Arizona, Kennedy delivered a message of determination and criticized those who questioned his campaign. “We have proven them wrong,” he said. “Under the radar of mainstream media, we have inspired a massive independent political movement.” He also expressed his belief that he would have won the election in a fair system. However, despite his optimistic words, Kennedy acknowledged that his chances of success were slim. “I cannot in good conscience ask my staff and volunteers to continue working long hours, or ask my contributors to keep giving, when I cannot honestly tell them that I have a real path to the White House,” he stated.
While he claimed he was not “withdrawing” his campaign but only suspending it, he made it clear that he would remove his name from ballots in states where he feared he could siphon votes away from Trump. “In about 10 swing states, where my presence would be a spoiler, I will remove my name. And I have already begun that process and urge voters not to vote for me,” said Kennedy.
Kennedy explained that he and Trump share concerns regarding “freedom of speech, the war in Ukraine, and the war on our children.” In the weeks leading up to Kennedy’s remarks, speculation had been brewing about a potential alliance between him and Trump, especially as Trump’s rally in Arizona was scheduled to take place just three hours after Kennedy’s speech.
Kennedy, a former environmental attorney, launched his presidential campaign as a Democrat in April 2023. His decision to run shocked the political landscape, particularly because he hails from a well-known political family with strong ties to the Democratic Party. His uncle, John F. Kennedy, and his father, Robert F. Kennedy, were both assassinated.
Kennedy’s siblings and family have criticized him for sharing conspiracy theories regarding vaccines and for promoting unproven treatments during the COVID-19 pandemic. Pressure from Democrats led him to relaunch his campaign as an independent candidate in October 2023, but this move did not mitigate the negative perception from the party, which feared he would take votes away.
Despite his endorsement of Trump, Kennedy is aware that winning over voters will be challenging. A recent poll indicated that his support has fallen to 5 percent, significantly trailing behind both the Democratic candidate, Vice President Kamala Harris, and Trump.
In his campaign suspension announcement, Kennedy refused to remain silent about changes within the Democratic Party, which he claimed has strayed from its core values. “I left this party in October because it had dramatically departed from the core values I grew up with,” he stated.
Kennedy concluded his address with a critique of the media, which he accused of “systematic censorship.” While he expressed his love for his former party’s history, he acknowledged that the time for change had come. Liberalism and discussions of fundamental values have become central themes in his campaign.
The reaction from his family in response to his decision to support Trump was clear. “Our brother’s decision to support Trump today is a betrayal of the values that our father and our family hold dear,” stated a release from five of his siblings.