Robert F. Kennedy Jr. expected to quit presidential race, endorse Trump
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is expected to end his moribund presidential campaign and support Republican candidate Donald Trump on Friday.
Campaign spokeswoman Stefanie Spear posted Wednesday that the independent candidate, who is polling around 5%, would address the nation Friday regarding “the present historical moment and his path forward.”
Sources told ABC News the 70-year-old political scion could still change his mind, but he’s expected to endorse Trump, who has indicated he might return the favor should he come to power after November’s election.
Kennedy verified on social media that he’ll be speaking Friday, but he would “not confirm or deny” reports of his alleged intentions to support the Republican ticket.
The Democrats have been surging since choosing Vice President Kamala Harris, 59, as their candidate to challenge Trump, 78, last month. She became the party’s pick after President Joe Biden announced July 21 he would not seek reelection, but she officially got the nod at this week’s Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Kennedy’s address is scheduled to take place the day after that convention ends.
His running mate and major donor, Nicole Shanahan, indicated on a Tuesday podcast that their campaign was considering hanging around and strengthening their odds for future endeavors or quitting now to “join forces with Donald Trump.”
While the Kennedy name is synonymous with Democratic Party politics, the son of slain 1968 presidential hopeful Robert F. Kennedy and nephew of assassinated President John F. Kennedy frequently rails against the party’s current establishment.
“My father and my uncle were members of a Democratic Party that was at the forefront of making sure that every American could vote for the candidate they wanted to,” he said in a video posted late Tuesday. “Today’s Democratic Party is doing the opposite.”
Numerous Kennedy family members have spoken out against RFK Jr.’s “saddening” candidacy. An open letter signed by several relatives in March questioned his “values, vision (and) judgment” while denouncing his ambitions as dangerous to the nation. He launched his campaign as a Democrat before pivoting to run as an independent.
ABC News said Kennedy’s campaign manager expressed gratitude Wednesday for staffers’ efforts, but said what’s coming next is uncertain. Kennedy’s campaign hasn’t responded to a request for comment regarding the future of his candidacy.
Trump called Kennedy last month to say “it would be so good for (me) and so good for you” if the pair came to an agreement. That could mean a Cabinet position for Kennedy.
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