Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. abruptly withdrew from the race and threw his support behind former President Donald Trump, citing a "sham primary" conducted by the Democratic Party.
Former Democrat and independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has dropped his White House bid and endorsed former President Donald Trump, launching a scathing attack on the Democratic Party and the media.
In a speech delivered in Phoenix, Arizona, Kennedy accused the Democratic Party of waging "continual legal warfare" against President Trump and himself and running a "sham primary."
Kennedy Drops Out, Endorses Trump, Claims Democratic 'Sham Primary'
"In an honest system, I believe I would have won the election," Kennedy declared.
Kennedy's campaign is requesting that swing states remove his name from the ballot, as he does not wish to be a "spoiler." However, he will remain on the ballot in states he considers "red" or "blue."
Kennedy Drops Out, Endorses Trump, Claims Democratic 'Sham Primary'
"If you live in a blue state, you can vote for me without harming or helping President Trump or or Vice President Harris," Kennedy said. "In red states, the same will apply."
Kennedy's endorsement of Trump comes after months of speculation surrounding a potential alliance between the two figures. Last month, the two spoke after an assassination attempt against Trump, and they met in person the following day.
Kennedy Drops Out, Endorses Trump, Claims Democratic 'Sham Primary'
Earlier this week, Kennedy's running mate, Nicole Shanahan, hinted at a possible "join forces" scenario with Trump to prevent Vice President Kamala Harris from winning the 2024 election.
Trump has expressed his appreciation for Kennedy's endorsement, calling it an "honor." His running mate, Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, has also welcomed the possibility of Kennedy joining their team.
Kennedy Drops Out, Endorses Trump, Claims Democratic 'Sham Primary'
Kennedy's departure from the race marks the end of his long-shot presidential campaign. His poll numbers, once in the teens, have since faded. The most recent Fox News national poll indicated Kennedy at 6% support.
His fundraising efforts have also been a challenge, with campaign finance reports indicating he had just $3.9 million cash on hand as of the start of July, with nearly $3.5 million in debt.
The Trump campaign had criticized Kennedy's environmental activism when he was running as a Democrat. However, their relationship began to warm earlier this year, leading to Kennedy's endorsement of Trump.
Kennedy's endorsement of Trump is a significant development in the 2024 presidential race, potentially boosting Trump's chances of re-election by appealing to independent and disgruntled Democratic voters.
It remains to be seen how Kennedy's withdrawal and endorsement will impact the race and whether it will galvanize support for Trump or lead to further division within the Democratic Party.
