In a surprising twist that’s sure to shake up the race, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the once Democrat-turned-independent presidential candidate, has thrown his support behind Republican nominee Donald Trump. This move, which was announced during a speech in Phoenix, could dramatically shift the dynamics in what is already a tightly contested battle for the White House.
Kennedy, who had been running as an independent, announced that he’s suspending his campaign and working to remove his name from the ballot in key battleground states. However, he plans to keep his name on the ballot in solidly blue and red states, signaling that he doesn’t want to be a spoiler where it matters most. “In blue states, you can vote for me without affecting President Trump or Vice President Harris,” Kennedy said. “In red states, the same goes. But in about 10 battleground states, where my presence could tip the scales, I’m taking my name off the ballot and urging voters not to vote for me.”
The timing of Kennedy’s endorsement is no coincidence. It came just hours before Trump was set to give a speech in Glendale, Arizona, with rumors swirling that the former president would be joined by a “special guest” at his rally. Kennedy’s decision to pull his name from the Arizona ballot on Thursday, followed by a similar move in Pennsylvania, underscores the strategic nature of his endorsement.
Kennedy didn’t hold back in his criticism of the Democratic Party, claiming that the system was rigged against him from the start. “In an honest system, I would’ve won the Democratic primary and the general election,” Kennedy declared, accusing the Democrats of censoring him and blocking his access to ballots. “In the name of saving democracy, the Democratic Party set itself to dismantling it,” he said, echoing the frustrations of many who feel disenfranchised by the political establishment.
The endorsement comes after a tough stretch for Kennedy, who has seen his poll numbers slip from around 10% nationally to just 5%, according to RealClearPolitics. His decision to back Trump is likely to influence his supporters, many of whom might be more inclined to support the former president over Democratic nominee Kamala Harris. Trump himself has hinted at the possibility of bringing Kennedy into his administration, should he win in 2024. “I’ve known him for a long time,” Trump said. “He’s a very smart guy, a very good person. If he endorsed me, I would be honored by it.”
This isn’t the first time the two have crossed paths in this election cycle. Earlier this year, Trump criticized Kennedy as a “Democrat plant,” accusing him of being anti-gun, an extreme environmentalist, and an advocate for open borders. Kennedy fired back, calling Trump’s comments a “barely coherent barrage of wild and inaccurate claims” and suggesting that the matter should be settled in a presidential debate.
Kennedy has also been vocal in his criticism of Trump’s policies during his time in office, particularly taking aim at Operation Warp Speed, Trump’s initiative to accelerate the production of a COVID-19 vaccine during the pandemic. Despite these differences, Kennedy’s endorsement of Trump could be a game-changer in a race where every vote counts.
