Determined to block the Democrats’ path, independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is suspending his campaign to fall in behind Donald Trump, in an about-face that will have limited consequences on the race for the White House, according to one expert.
Deep down, I no longer believe there is a realistic path to victory, the 70-year-old politician said at a news conference in Arizona. For several days, rumors had been circulating that he was about to throw in the towel and join the Republican candidate.
It was ultimately in disjointed terms, in a speech lasting nearly 50 minutes, that the main person concerned silenced the speculation on Friday. I want everyone to know that I am not ending my campaign. I am simply suspending it, he argued.
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Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has announced that he is suspending his campaign.
By his account, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. met with Donald Trump several times in recent weeks, and was surprised to find that the two men agreed on a number of crucial issues. But the Republican’s positions on three major issues were crucial to his decision: free speech, the war in Ukraine and the war on our children (a reference to vaccination campaigns).
These are the main reasons that convinced me to leave the Democratic Party and run as an independent, and now to support President Trump, said the candidate known for his heterodox political positions.
His name was withdrawn in some states, but kept elsewhere.
Although he is suspending his campaign, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. intends to leave his name on the ballot in most states, he added, without specifying which states he is withdrawing from.
If you live in a blue state [favorable aux démocrates]you can vote for me without harming or helping President Trump or Vice President Harris.
A quote from Robert F. Kennedy Jr., independent candidate
However, in about ten states where [sa] presence could distort the result, he plans to withdraw his name shortly, he continued, without specifying which states he was referring to. I have already started that process. I urge voters not to vote for me.
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Noteworthy: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is already on the ballot in several states, including key states like Michigan and Nevada. Some secretaries of state have already indicated that it is too late for him to withdraw, even if he wanted to.
Democracy Abandoned
In his speech, the nephew of former President John F. Kennedy and son of Robert F. Kennedy, both assassinated, took a swipe at the Democratic camp, his former political family. He accused the party of having become the party of war, censorship and corruption, sold out to the interests of pharmaceutical companies and technology giants.
As a reminder, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had entered the race for the Democratic nomination in 2023, before withdrawing to go it alone. The other members of the influential Kennedy dynasty almost unanimously opposed his candidacy.
During his speech, the man commonly referred to by his initials RFK sharply criticized the way in which Vice President Kamala Harris became the Democratic presidential candidate, having replaced President Joe Biden at short notice a month ago.
By canceling the primaries, Democrats have abandoned democracy to cover up President Biden’s cognitive decline, he said, also taking aim at the mainstream media.
In an honest system, I think I would have won this election, he said.
Reshuffle the cards?
Donald Trump said he was honored to have the support of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., calling him a great asset. Mr. Trump said he had not discussed with him a role in his administration if he wins, but added: I think he brings a lot to the table.
In the evening, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. spoke alongside Donald Trump at a rally in Glendale, Arizona.
RFK’s endorsement of Donald Trump sparked outrage from five members of the independent candidate’s family. Our brother Bobby’s decision to endorse Trump today is a betrayal of the values our father and our family hold dear. It’s a sad ending to a sad story, they said. in a joint statement published on social networks (New window)while reiterating their support for the Democratic ticket.
The big question now: has Robert F. Kennedy Jr. just reshuffled the cards in the race for the White House? He is doing so moderately, analyzes Julien Tourreille, researcher in residence at the Raoul-Dandurand Chair at UQAM, on the phone. Because the main person concerned has about 5% of voting intentions nationally, according to the polls, a support that had crumbled in recent weeks.
That said, in such a close election, every little element can tip the scales one way or the other, the researcher reminds us. Donald Trump and Kamala Harris are neck and neck, according to the poll aggregator of the New York TimesThe Democrat is ahead of her Republican rival by just two percentage points (49% to 47%).
According to Mr. Tourreille, RFK scored points with three types of voters: people dissatisfied with a Joe Biden candidacy – the latter are possibly back home with Kamala Harris –, people seduced by RFK’s anti-system discourse – probably therefore won over by Donald Trump –, and people in general not very mobilized by the two major parties and attracted by this third way embodied by the independent candidate. People who may not ultimately vote on November 5, indicates the researcher.
With information from Associated Press and CNN
