Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. has announced his endorsement of former President Donald Trump, as reported in a recent court filing. The Kennedy campaign requested Pennsylvania to remove him from the ballot, although it was not explicitly stated if his campaign would be suspended.
Kennedy's decision to endorse Trump comes ahead of a campaign event in Phoenix, Arizona, where the former Democrat will make his announcement. Speculation arose after the Trump campaign advertised that a 'special guest' would join the former president at the event in Glendale, Arizona.
This endorsement effectively marks the end of Kennedy's presidential run as an independent candidate. The 70-year-old environmental activist and vaccine skeptic, who hails from the renowned Kennedy political dynasty, initially launched his campaign for the Democratic nomination in April last year before transitioning to an independent bid in October.
Despite his Democratic roots and familial ties to prominent figures like Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and President John F. Kennedy, Kennedy had developed relationships with far-right leaders in recent years. His candidacy had drawn criticism from President Biden's campaign and the Democratic National Committee, who viewed him as a potential spoiler that could benefit Trump in the 2024 election.
Kennedy's campaign faced challenges in securing ballot access across all 50 states, with ongoing opposition from the DNC. His dwindling poll numbers and fundraising struggles further contributed to the decline of his presidential bid.
Following an apparent shift in his relationship with Trump earlier this year, Kennedy's running mate Nicole Shanahan hinted at the possibility of aligning with the former president to prevent Vice President Kamala Harris from winning the 2024 election. Trump expressed his appreciation for Kennedy's endorsement, while his running mate Sen. JD Vance emphasized the importance of unity in 'saving the country.'
With Kennedy's departure from the race, his campaign's final public event took place in Freeport, Maine, on July 9. Recent national polls indicated Kennedy's support at 6%, reflecting a significant drop from previous figures. Financial reports revealed a sharp decline in his fundraising, with limited cash on hand and substantial debt as of July.
