Robert F Kennedy Jr’s decision to suspend his independent run for the US presidency and back Donald Trump’s campaign has sent shockwaves through the political world. The 70-year-old Democrat, scion of the Kennedy dynasty, made the announcement at a press conference in Phoenix, Arizona, on Friday.
Despite his decision to suspend his campaign, Mr Kennedy made it clear that he would not drop out completely, but seek to remove his name from the ballot in 10 battleground states. This move comes as his polling numbers have slumped and funds and national coverage have dried up.
Trump welcomed Mr Kennedy’s support at a rally in Glendale, Arizona, calling him “phenomenal” and “brilliant”. Democratic rival Kamala Harris, on the other hand, said she would work to earn the support of Kennedy voters.
The decision to back a Republican for the White House has outraged Mr Kennedy’s relatives, who condemned his endorsement of Trump as a “betrayal of the values that our father and our family hold most dear.”
Mr Kennedy cited his certainty that supporting Trump was the right decision, despite the difficulties it may cause his family and friends. His wife, Cheryl Hines, expressed her respect for his decision to suspend his campaign.
The move to support Trump was justified by Mr Kennedy based on their alignment on key issues, including Trump’s stance on negotiating an end to the war in Ukraine with Russia.
While Mr Kennedy’s campaign became synonymous with the anti-vaccine movement, his decision to suspend his run and endorse Trump has raised questions about his future role in the political landscape.
Overall, Mr Kennedy’s decision highlights the challenges of the two-party system in the US and the difficulty of introducing new ideas and fresh faces into the political process.
