Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced at a news conference in Phoenix that he is suspending his campaign and endorsing Donald Trump. Kennedy expressed his belief that he has no realistic chance of winning due to ongoing censorship and media control, stating, “I cannot, in good conscience, ask my staff and volunteers to keep working or ask my donors to keep giving when I cannot honestly tell them that I have a real path to the White House.”
Kennedy clarified that while he is suspending his campaign, he will withdraw his name from ballots in key swing states to avoid being a spoiler. He mentioned his name would still appear on most state ballots, particularly in blue and red states, where voting for him would not affect either Trump or Vice President Harris.
He also suggested that he could potentially attain the White House if a contingent election occurs, where no candidate receives the necessary majority of electoral votes. Following his announcement, Kennedy attended a Trump event as a “special guest,” and his running mate Nicole Shanahan praised him for his courage in running a campaign amid significant challenges.
Shanahan thanked Kennedy for the opportunity to be part of his campaign, calling it “one of my greatest honors” and stating that Kennedy sparked a movement that resonated with many Americans. She indicated that Trump had offered Kennedy a role in his administration, discussing the possibility of a collaboration between the two parties based on historical precedents.
Kennedy’s announcement comes after a recent court filing in Pennsylvania indicated his withdrawal from a ballot access challenge, attributed to his support for Trump. Initially, his campaign had stated that he had not endorsed Trump, but it became evident later in the day that his endorsement was decisive.
Kennedy supporters exhibited mixed reactions to his decision. While some expressed disappointment that he would not continue his campaign, others indicated they would support Trump if Kennedy endorsed him.
Democratic National Committee senior adviser Mary Beth Cahill dismissed Kennedy’s influence, calling him a “failed fringe candidate” and suggesting that Trump would inherit negative associations from Kennedy’s campaign. Additionally, Kennedy’s family members who had criticized his campaign and backed Harris released a statement condemning his endorsement of Trump, stating it was a “betrayal of the values that our father and family hold most dear.”