Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ended his campaign on Friday, throwing his support behind Republican Donald Trump.
Kennedy, who began his run as a Democrat leveraging one of the most recognized names in American politics, announced during a press conference.
Shortly after endorsing Trump, Kennedy appeared with him at a campaign event in Arizona, where the crowd welcomed him with loud cheers.
Trump praised Kennedy’s candidacy for inspiring millions and addressing crucial issues long overlooked in the country.
Political strategists remain uncertain about the impact Kennedy’s endorsement will have on Trump, who is in a tight race against Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris ahead of the November 5 election.
Kennedy, 70, stated earlier in a press conference that he had multiple discussions with Trump and his team, finding common ground on issues like border security, free speech, and ending wars.
He acknowledged that despite significant differences on some topics, both share alignment on key matters.
Kennedy reiterated these positions at the Arizona rally, focusing on his core issues like tackling chronic illness and eliminating hazardous chemicals from the environment and food supply.
On stage with Kennedy, Trump promised that if re-elected, he would establish a presidential commission to investigate assassination attempts and release files related to President John F. Kennedy’s assassination in 1963.
Known by his initials RFK Jr., Kennedy also revealed plans to remove his name from ballots in 10 swing states likely to decide the election while remaining a candidate in other states.
Kennedy, an environmental lawyer and anti-vaccine advocate, entered the race in April 2023, initially challenging President Joe Biden for the Democratic nomination.
With discontent growing among some voters over Biden’s age and Trump’s legal troubles, Kennedy gained significant interest.
He later switched to running as an independent, and a November 2023 Reuters/Ipsos poll showed him with 20% support in a three-way race against Biden and Trump.
Kennedy stirred controversy by airing a high-profile Super Bowl ad in February 2024, invoking his father, Senator Robert F. Kennedy, and his uncle, President John F. Kennedy, which drew criticism from his prominent family.
On Friday, his sister, Kerry Kennedy, expressed disappointment over his decision to back Trump, stating on social media that it was a “sad ending to a sad story.”
Both the Biden and Trump campaigns initially expressed concern that Kennedy could pull enough votes to influence the election.
However, recent developments, including Trump surviving an assassination attempt and the 81-year-old Biden stepping down in favor of Harris, led to a decline in Kennedy’s support.
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