PHOENIX (AP) — Robert F. Kennedy Jr. dropped out of the Arizona ballot late Thursday, a day before he and former President Donald Trump are scheduled to speak several miles away in Phoenix, amid speculation that he might abandon his independent bid for the White House and support the Republican nominee.
Kennedy is scheduled to speak at 2 p.m. ET in Phoenix “on the current historic moment and the path forward,” according to his campaign. Hours later, Trump will hold a rally in nearby Glendale.
Trump, who campaigned on Thursday at the Mexican border in southern Arizona, said there were “no plans” for Kennedy to appear with him on Friday, but noted they would be in the same city at the same time.
On Thursday night, the Trump campaign made an unusual announcement, dropping hints that he would be joined in Glendale by “a special guest.”
Hours later, calling into Fox News Channel after the close of the Democratic National Convention, Trump said of Kennedy, “I have no idea if he’s going to support me.” But he noted that they would be in the same state, adding, “We might meet tomorrow and discuss it.”
Representatives for the Trump campaign did not respond to messages asking whether Kennedy would be the guest, and Kennedy’s campaign did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment on whether she would appear with Trump.
Kennedy’s withdrawal in Arizona, confirmed by a spokesperson for the state’s secretary of state, came less than a week after he submitted a number of signatures far beyond the required number to get on the ballot. Critics questioned the validity of some of the signatures after a pro-Kennedy super PAC was heavily involved in efforts to gather them, in what could be a violation of rules against coordination between candidates and independent political groups.
A year ago, some would have found it inconceivable that Kennedy — who is from the most prominent family in the Democratic Party — could work with Trump to prevent a Democrat from winning the White House. In recent months, Kennedy has accused Trump of betraying his supporters while the Republican has called him “the most radical left-wing candidate in the race.”
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