In a surprising twist in the 2024 U.S. presidential race, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who launched his campaign as an Independent candidate, has dropped out and endorsed Republican nominee Donald Trump.
The decision was announced on Friday at a press conference in Phoenix, Arizona, where Kennedy cited his alignment with Trump on key issues, including the war in Ukraine, as the reason for his support.
Kennedy, 70, a lifelong Democrat and a member of the renowned Kennedy political dynasty, said his disillusionment with the Democratic Party led him to back Trump. “The principles that led me to leave the party have now compelled me to throw my support to President Trump,” he stated.
Kennedy also announced plans to withdraw his name from ballots in 10 battleground states to avoid spoiling Trump’s chances.
The endorsement has sparked outrage within the Kennedy family, with his sister, Kerry Kennedy, calling it a “betrayal of the values that our father and our family hold most dear.” The move also marks a dramatic shift in Kennedy’s campaign, which initially focused on anti-vaccine rhetoric and criticism of the Democratic Party’s establishment.
Trump praised Kennedy as “phenomenal” and “brilliant” during a rally in Glendale, Arizona, where he welcomed him on stage. Trump also reiterated his promise to release all remaining documents related to the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy, a pledge likely aimed at securing RFK Jr.’s endorsement.
Despite the high-profile backing, Kennedy’s campaign had lost momentum in recent months. Initially polling in double digits, his support dwindled as media attention and fundraising waned. His decision to endorse Trump is seen by some as a last-ditch effort to remain relevant in the political arena.
Kennedy’s endorsement of Trump underscores the fractured state of U.S. politics and highlights the challenges faced by third-party candidates in a deeply polarised two-party system. His endorsement may bolster Trump’s appeal among disaffected voters, but it also risks alienating traditional Democrats and some Independents.
Kennedy’s wife, Cheryl Hines, the actress known for her role in HBO’s *Curb Your Enthusiasm*, expressed respect for her husband’s decision to suspend his campaign but did not comment on his endorsement of Trump. The couple’s differing political views have been a subject of public speculation, with Hines previously distancing herself from some of her husband’s more controversial statements.
The reaction from the Democratic Party has been dismissive. Mary Beth Cahill, a senior adviser to the Democratic National Committee, remarked, “Donald Trump isn’t earning an endorsement that’s going to help build support, he’s inheriting the baggage of a failed fringe candidate.”
With Kennedy out of the race, the 2024 election is shaping up as a direct contest between Trump and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris. The impact of Kennedy’s endorsement on Trump’s campaign remains to be seen, but it adds an unexpected layer to an already tumultuous race.
Follow us on:
