On Friday, August 23, independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. withdrew from the race and endorsed Donald Trump, the Republican nominee. Kennedy accompanied Trump at a campaign event in Arizona a few hours after declaring the endorsement in a press conference, when the supporters enthusiastically applauded the independent.
“His candidacy has inspired millions and millions of Americans, raised critical issues that have been too long ignored in this country,” Trump added regarding Kennedy.
Kennedy, 70, earlier told reporters that he had multiple meetings with Trump and his advisors and discovered that they had common ground on important subjects like ending wars, securing the border, and allowing free expression.
The presidential contest will not be significantly impacted by Kennedy’s support of Trump, according to an ABC News review of polling data.
According to ABC News, Kennedy was receiving around equal support from both Trump and Harris, with the support originating from both traditionally Democratic and traditionally Republican sectors. Kennedy has been polling at about 5% since Vice President Kamala Harris emerged as the front-runner.
According to the data, Trump may benefit slightly from Kennedy’s endorsement among white, male, and older voters.
Kennedy’s sister Kerry reacted to his choice to support Trump by claiming that it violated their family’s moral principles. She posted on social media, saying, “It is a sad ending to a sad story.”
In April 2023, President Joe Biden faced competition from Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for the Democratic nomination.
Interest in Kennedy surged at the moment as some voters were turned off by both the legally troubled Trump and the aging Biden. Later, he made the decision to run as an independent, and in a three-way contest against Biden and Trump, a Reuters/Ipsos poll from November 2023 revealed that Kennedy was leading by 20%.
