As we speak, unbiased candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. introduced his withdrawal from the presidential race.
“I’m not terminating my marketing campaign, I’m merely suspending it, not ending it,” mentioned Kennedy. “My identify will stay on the poll in most states.”
However Kennedy mentioned that after “deep prayer,” he had determined to throw his assist behind former president Donald Trump and could be becoming a member of his marketing campaign. He mentioned his fervent concern about power illness, and Trump’s guarantees to deal with these points if elected, in the end formed his determination.
“I solely have perhaps 10 extra years to be efficient,” Kennedy mentioned. “If President Trump is elected and honors his phrase, the huge burden of power illness that burdens and bankrupts the nation will disappear.”
Earlier than endorsing Trump, Kennedy famous that he might nonetheless win in a contingent election, however that he would take away his identify from the poll within the 10 states the place his candidacy might act as a spoiler. “For those who stay in a blue state you’ll be able to vote for me,” he mentioned. “I encourage you to vote for me.”
Kennedy additionally used his speech to accuse the Democratic Nationwide Committee (DNC) of waging authorized warfare in opposition to himself and former president Donald Trump, evaluating Biden and the group to Vladimir Putin’s Russia. He took goal at Harris for not doing unscripted interviews with the press, whereas he and Trump have.
“Are we nonetheless a job mannequin for democracy on this nation, or have we made it type of a joke?” he requested. Kennedy famous that he was compelled to go away the race when it grew to become clear that he would “hand the election to the Democratic Celebration.”
Indications that Kennedy and Trump have been inching towards a political alliance has been constructing for months. In July, Kennedy traveled to the Republican Nationwide Conference, the place a video of Trump and Kennedy showing to debate a potential endorsement surfaced. Trump marketing campaign donor Timothy Mellon additionally supported the Kennedy marketing campaign with $25 million. Earlier this week, Kennedy’s operating mate, Nicole Shanahan, prompt in a podcast look that he may drop out and endorse the previous president.
In a Thursday submit on X, Shanahan mentioned that Democrats are “fearful of the thought of our motion becoming a member of forces with Donald Trump.”
“MAGA Republicans elevated RFK Jr.’s sham candidacy as a instrument to mislead voters and damage Democrats, and RFK Jr.’s exit is an admission their gambit failed,” DNC spokesperson Ramsey Reid mentioned in an announcement.
The Kennedy marketing campaign didn’t reply to a request for remark.
Kennedy launched his marketing campaign as a Democrat in April 2023 after which as an unbiased in October 2023, and gave the impression to be a potential spoiler candidate who might meaningfully influence the outcomes of the election. All through his marketing campaign, Kennedy appeared to have mastered the artwork of taking over no matter digital area was provided to him. He appeared on podcasts and in TikTok Lives, and courted crypto donors. When he was not provided a spot on the talk stage alongside Trump and President Joe Biden, Kennedy hosted a parallel debate, streamed on-line and on X, considered by over 9 million individuals.
