Robert F Kennedy jr just made the most Powerful Political Move of the 2024 Presidential Campaign. He announced he is suspending his campaign but leaving his name on Blue State ballots and removing himself from Swing States Ballots. He then threw his support behind Republican Nominee, Donald Trump.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has officially ended his unlikely presidential campaign and has pledged his support to Republican nominee Donald Trump.
This unexpected decision marks a significant shift from a member of one of America’s most prominent Democratic families. The announcement, which had been hinted at earlier in the week by Kennedy and his running mate, Nicole Shanahan, was made public on Friday during a lengthy and critical speech given by Kennedy in a Renaissance hotel ballroom in downtown Phoenix.
In his address, Kennedy criticized the Democratic Party, alleging that it employed undemocratic strategies that led to a “palace coup” against President Joe Biden, resulting in Vice President Kamala Harris being positioned as the presidential candidate without any substantive debates, policies, or interviews—merely relying on “balloons.”
“How did the Democratic Party choose a candidate who has never given an interview?” Kennedy asked. “Over the course of a campaign where my poll numbers reached at times the high 20s, ABC, NBC, CBS, MSNBC and CNN combined gave only two live interviews to me. Those networks ran continuous hit pieces [on me].”
“We inspired a massive independent political movement,” said Kennedy, thanking the 100,000 volunteers who collected signatures and canvassed for his campaign. “I will not let your accomplishments go to waste. .. I’m here today to describe the path forward. … In my heart I no longer feel we have a path to victory … Our polling consistently showed that by staying on the ballot in the battleground states I would be handing votes over to the Democrats.”
Kennedy has declared his intention to withdraw his name from ballots in key battleground states, although he will still appear on ballots in other regions. He cited three primary concerns: free speech, the conflict in Ukraine, and the health of children, stating that he would be endorsing Trump.
Cheryl Hines, Kennedy’s wife and actress known for her role in Curb Your Enthusiasm, released a statement on social media expressing, “The decision has been made to suspend my husband Robert Kennedy Jr.’s campaign, and I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has dedicated themselves so passionately to his campaign. Their efforts have achieved what many deemed impossible. They have collected over a million signatures, surpassing any candidate in history, and have secured ballot access nationwide despite numerous obstacles and legal challenges aimed at preventing Bobby from appearing on the ballots, thereby denying voters the chance to support him.”
I hold great admiration for Bobby’s choice to campaign on the principle of unity. Throughout the past year and a half, I have encountered remarkable individuals from various political backgrounds—Democrats, Republicans, and independents alike. My observations suggest that the overwhelming majority of people across these parties are genuinely good-hearted individuals who aspire for the best outcomes for our nation and for one another. This journey has been enlightening, transformative, and profoundly meaningful, Hines remarked. Following a tumultuous year marked by an armed intruder being apprehended at their Los Angeles residence, this decision may add further tension within the household, especially since Hines has previously expressed her disdain for Trump and his policies.
Trump, whose polling advantage has notably decreased since President Joe Biden exited the race and Harris emerged as the Democratic nominee, has embraced Kennedy’s endorsement and hinted at a potential cabinet role for him if he secures victory in the upcoming November election. Kennedy, an anti-establishment figure known for promoting conspiracy theories and an anti-vaccine stance, has long been perceived as a potential spoiler in the election, likely to divert crucial votes from Trump. In a January profile for Hollywood Reporter, Hines, 58, stated, “From my perspective, it seems that Bobby is more inclined to draw votes away from Trump than from Biden.” By aligning himself with the Trump campaign, Kennedy alleviates one concern for the beleaguered former president as he seeks a second term. The announcement prompted a reaction from five of Kennedy’s siblings, who shared a statement on Instagram expressing, “We envision an America filled with hope, united by a common vision for a brighter future—one characterized by individual freedom, economic opportunity, and national pride. We support Harris and [running mate Tim] Walz. Our brother Bobby’s endorsement of Trump today betrays the values that our father and family hold dear. It marks a sorrowful conclusion to a troubling narrative.”
The conclusion of Kennedy’s campaign signifies the closure of one of the more unusual episodes in the annals of presidential elections. At the age of 70, Kennedy initially entered the race as a Democrat but later adjusted his strategy to run as an independent candidate.
His campaign faced discontent from both sides of the political spectrum, with particularly vocal opposition coming from his own family members, several of whom issued statements distancing themselves from him and condemning what they viewed as an effort to undermine democracy by challenging Biden, who was then the presumed nominee.
The Democratic National Committee undertook several expensive legal actions to prevent Kennedy from appearing on ballots, while the Republican National Committee refrained from similar measures, as reported by sources within the Kennedy campaign. This situation ultimately swayed Kennedy’s allegiances toward Trump. Ultimately, Kennedy managed to secure a place on 19 state ballots, but this was insufficient.
At its height, Kennedy’s campaign garnered support in the low double digits. However, as Harris unexpectedly gained momentum in her presidential bid, Kennedy’s financial resources, strained by various legal challenges, dwindled, leading to a decline in his popularity to 5 percent.
A recent profile in New Yorker disclosed that Kennedy was the enigmatic figure responsible for leaving a deceased bear cub in Central Park ten years ago, an incident that captured media attention and prompted a fruitless investigation by city officials. In an attempt to preempt the news, Kennedy shared a video narrating the incident, curiously directed to comedian Roseanne Barr.
According to a representative for Barr, the video was recorded after the filming of her podcast. Barr, who is familiar with unusual and controversial headlines, appeared perplexed as Kennedy recounted the story.