At an address to the nation in Phoenix, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced he would suspend his campaign and pledge his endorsement behind former President Donald Trump.
During his speech, Kennedy lamented the actions of the Democratic Party which spent millions of dollars taking his campaign to court attempting to prevent his access to state ballots. Kennedy likened this to the way that Democrats have also attacked Trump by attempting to imprison him before Election Day.
Kennedy went on to heavily discuss the way mainstream media outlets, social media companies, and the federal government have colluded on multiple occasions to stifle democracy and censor his supporters from sharing videos and campaign messages.
His campaign will also be seeking to remove his name from 10 battleground states but desires to remain on the ballot in deep red and blue states where his presence will not present a “spoiler” situation.
News of the endorsement leaked before the speech contained with a Pennsylvania court filing according to CNBC:
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s campaign told a Pennsylvania court that he will be endorsing former President Donald Trump, ahead of his own Friday afternoon announcement putting to rest a tumultuous independent presidential campaign.
The filing in Pennsylvania, in a lawsuit related to a legal challenge to his own ballot access in the state, said that Kennedy was withdrawing from the ballot “as a result of today’s endorsement of Donald Trump for the office of President of the United States.”
The filing came shortly before Kennedy was set to take the stage at an Arizona press conference where he’s expected to formally end his presidential campaign.
During his speech, Kennedy also confirmed that the Trump campaign had been reaching out to him hoping to join forces, according to CBS News:
Kennedy said three issues encouraged him to leave the Democratic Party “and now, to throw my support to President Trump.” Those issues are free speech, the war in Ukraine, and the “war on our children.”
“My joining the Trump campaign will be a difficult sacrifice for my wife and children, but worthwhile if there’s even a small chance of saving these kids,” he said. He said that processed foods, chemicals and obesity were destroying the chronic health of children in the U.S.
But RFK Jr. also said he wasn’t “terminating” his campaign, merely suspending it, and he would remain on the ballot in many states. But he also said, “In about 10 battleground states where my presence would be a spoiler, I’m going to remove my name, and I’ve already started the process.” He said people in red states and blue states could vote for him “without harming or helping President Trump or or Vice President Harris.”
It’s unclear what Kennedy’s exit from the race will mean moving forward. It’s also unclear if he will appear later today at the Trump rally taking place in Phoenix as well. Stay tuned!
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