RFK Jr. Suspends 2024 Campaign and Backs Trump for Election

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has officially suspended his presidential campaign, choosing to back former President Donald Trump as the 2024 race heats up. Initially, Kennedy entered the political arena as a challenger to President Joe Biden in the Democratic primary, but now his emphasis is on shaking up the dynamics of the upcoming election.

In a distinctive move, Kennedy announced that he would only be withdrawing his name from ballots in ten key swing states. He urged his supporters to continue voting for him in states that lean heavily toward either party. Kennedy explained, “Our polling consistently showed that by staying on the ballot in the battleground states, I would likely hand the election over to the Democrats, with whom I disagree on the most existential issues.” This statement was made during a news conference in Arizona, where he elaborated on his decision.

After various discussions with Trump and his team, Kennedy noted that he found more common ground with Trump than he had anticipated. He likened their potential collaboration to President Lincoln’s historical “Team of Rivals,” which involved uniting former adversaries within his administration. “I was surprised to discover that we are aligned on many key issues,” he remarked. “In those meetings, he suggested that we join forces as a unity party.” Kennedy emphasized that this understanding allows for public and private disagreements, maintaining that such a dynamic can be constructive.

However, Kennedy’s campaign has faced evident challenges in recent weeks. His latest financial reports indicated a troubling rate of spending, suggesting that he was struggling to raise sufficient funds to sustain his campaign. Nicole Shanahan, his running mate and attorney, expressed concern over potentially funding his independent run without contributing to a successful outcome, fearing she would merely play the role of spoiler in the election.

Once a critical voice against Trump, Kennedy has evolved to adopt policy positions that align with those of the GOP nominee, most notably through his promotion of vaccine skepticism. This pivot has made Trump more receptive to his candidacy, in stark contrast to the lack of engagement from Vice President Kamala Harris, who reportedly did not respond to Kennedy’s requests for a meeting.

Early on, Kennedy seemed poised to influence the 2024 election significantly, especially as polls indicated a strong desire for alternatives to the expected Biden-Trump rematch. Initial polling revealed that Kennedy could garner nearly ten percent of voter support, tapping into a segment of the electorate dissatisfied with the leading candidates.

Yet, similar to Trump, Kennedy’s campaign experienced missteps over the summer. His journey was complicated by controversial incidents, including the unusual revelation that he had previously disposed of a bear carcass in Central Park. This episode did little to bolster his public image.

Coming from a renowned Democratic family, Kennedy gained prominence as an environmental attorney but is perhaps more widely recognized for his anti-vaccine activism. He officially challenged Biden in April 2023, but soon found it challenging to gain traction against a sitting president who appeared set for a rematch with Trump. By October, he pivoted to run as an independent candidate to seek broader appeal.

Facing the daunting task of establishing a campaign without the backing of a major party, Kennedy needed to secure significant funding to expand his reach and qualify for state ballots. He selected Shanahan, a philanthropist and attorney from Silicon Valley, to join him on the ticket. Shanahan humorously remarked that her wealth was one of her primary qualifications for the role.

While funds flowed in from his supporters, including substantial backing from Timothy Mellon, a prominent Trump backer, concerns arose that Kennedy might unintentionally siphon votes from Biden and disrupt the electoral balance. Polls hinted that Kennedy might also capture a portion of Trump’s voter base, prompting heightened scrutiny from the former president.

Throughout his campaign, Kennedy’s legacy and family background have generated mixed reactions, with some relatives publicly criticizing his run. While many have expressed support for Biden, they maintained a distance from Kennedy’s controversial positions. His campaign has been marred by debates over conspiracies related to the COVID-19 pandemic and his reluctance to offer any definitive opinions on the September 11, 2001 attacks, showcasing the complex and often contentious nature of his candidacy.

As the 2024 election approaches, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s unexpected withdrawal and alignment with Donald Trump may significantly reshape the political landscape ahead.

Source: Business Insider