Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced on Friday that he is suspending his presidential campaign and endorsing Republican candidate Donald Trump. Kennedy’s decision likely concludes his bid for the White House, which began as a Democratic challenger to President Joe Biden before switching to an independent run.
Kennedy’s campaign stated that continuing his race would risk drawing votes away from Trump, who faces a close contest with Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris ahead of the November 5 election. Initially launching his campaign in April 2023 as a Democrat, Kennedy sought to leverage his famous family name, being the son and nephew of two assassinated icons of Democratic politics, Robert F. Kennedy and John F. Kennedy.
Kennedy’s presidential bid gained significant attention in its early days, driven by disillusionment with both Biden and Trump. His switch to an independent candidate garnered notable support, with a November 2023 Reuters/Ipsos poll showing him capturing 20% of the vote in a three-way race against Biden and Trump.
Despite his strong early performance, the landscape shifted in recent months. With Trump surviving an assassination attempt and Biden stepping aside for Harris, Kennedy’s appeal diminished. A recent Ipsos poll showed his national support dwindling to just 4%, a number still significant enough to influence the election outcome.
As rumors of a change circulated, Kennedy’s Phoenix address confirmed the end of his campaign. In exchange for his endorsement, Kennedy is reportedly seeking a role in a potential Trump administration and hopes to continue his political movement in some capacity.
Throughout his campaign, Kennedy positioned himself as a political outsider, promising to repeal key Biden policies, enforce strict immigration controls, and support Israel. Despite waning support, Kennedy attracted major donors, including Trump mega-donor Timothy Mellon and his running mate Nicole Shanahan, who donated millions to his campaign.
Kennedy’s endorsement of Trump represents a significant turn in the 2024 presidential race, with the potential to shift voter dynamics as the election approaches.
