Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an independent presidential candidate, said he would end his campaign to back former US President Donald Trump. Political observers were taken aback by this surprise move on Friday, 23rd August.
The seventy-year-old announced his decision to back out of the White House race in a press conference. He revealed that he met Trump and his cohorts numerous times before announcing his decision. According to Kennedy, they found common grounds in issues like border security, free speech, and ending wars.
Hours after his announcement, RFK Jr. was seen participating in a Trump campaign event in Arizona. The crowd present greeted the former independent candidate with a loud cheer. Donald Trump even praised Kennedy saying that his candidacy has inspired millions and raised critical issues that were long ignored in the country.
Impact on the Presidential Race
Political analysts suggested however that the development could do little to alter the outcome of the upcoming elections. Looking at the poll data, ABC News found RFK Jr. had 5% to draw from equally among Trump and Kamala Harris’ supporters.
The analysis indicates that RFK Jr.’s endorsement could bolster Trump among white, male and older voters. Still, considering that Kennedy’s national backing has recently sunk to 4%, the impact could be relatively minimal.
Democrats have decried the endorsement as meaningless. In a statement, Mary Beth Cahill, Senior Adviser to the DNC stated “Donald Trump isn’t adding an endorsement that’s going to move voters; he’s exposing how every failed Republican presidential candidate already severely damages him.”
Kennedy’s Campaign Journey
Kennedy entered the race in April 2023 as a Democratic challenger to then-President Joe Biden. At first, his campaign gained traction as many voters were turned off by either Joe Biden or Trump.
In a three-way race, RFK Jr. drew 20% support in the November 2023 Reuters/Ipsos poll. The Biden and Trump campaigns then expressed alarm over the surge.
Yet… recent political events shifted the winds. Trump survived an assassination attempt while Biden left the race endorsing Kamala Harris. These factors combined to reduce voter focus on Kennedy’s campaign.
Ballot Status and Campaign Implications
Kennedy quickly joined Trump at a rally in Glendale, Arizona, shortly after his campaign officially requested removal from Arizona’s ballot. The state’s secretary of state confirmed this request.
Election officials in Arizona and Ohio have verified that RFK Jr’s name will not appear on their ballots. Texas has also listed him as withdrawn on their secretary of state’s website. Reports indicate his campaign has filed similar paperwork in Pennsylvania.
However, in crucial battleground states like Michigan, Nevada, and Wisconsin, it’s too late for Kennedy to remove his name from the ballot, according to election officials. This situation could potentially impact vote distribution in these key states.
Family Reaction and Controversies
Not every member of the Kennedy clan is pleased with Trump’s endorsement of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. His sister, Kerry Boe stated that RFK Jr.’s decision had betrayed their family values. Kennedy also had his controversies during the campaign. Confessions like one in which he dumped a dead bear at Central Park and denials of sexual assault from multiple individuals were frequent and he also confirmed that he once had a brain parasite.
As the presidential race continues, the impact of Kennedy’s endorsement remains to be seen. While Trump’s campaign views it positively, political scientists like William Rosenberg of Drexel University suggest it’s unlikely to influence the election’s outcome significantly.
