Amid shifting political landscapes, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is poised to abandon his presidential campaign and endorse former President Donald Trump.
NBC News reported that RFK Jr., currently an independent presidential candidate, will be ending his campaign. He has scheduled a speech in Phoenix this Friday, where he plans to unveil his decision regarding the continuation of his presidential bid.
During a recent podcast appearance, Nicole Shanahan, Kennedy's running mate, revealed that the campaign is considering two paths: persisting in the race or endorsing Trump.
Their decision is driven by the aim to prevent a victory for the Harris-Walz ticket in the upcoming election.
Insiders close to the discussions, including Donald Trump Jr., media personality Tucker Carlson, and financier Omeed Malik, have been pivotal in steering Kennedy towards a Trump endorsement. These talks have involved multiple meetings aimed at shaping Kennedy's political future.
Senator JD Vance, Trump's running mate, has indicated that the dialogues between the Kennedy and Trump campaigns have been robust. "There's been a lot of communication back and forth," Vance stated, hinting at a strategic alignment between the two camps.
Trump has openly considered the possibility of incorporating Kennedy into his administration should he win the election. "I probably would," Trump said, expressing both respect and personal regard for Kennedy.
The potential endorsement follows a private meeting between Kennedy and Trump in Milwaukee last month, which coincided with the Republican convention and an assassination attempt against Trump.
Since early July, Kennedy has reduced his campaign activities, with no public events and declining support in polls. His campaign has also been plagued by financial troubles, accumulating nearly $3.5 million in debt.
Recent controversies surrounding Kennedy have further complicated his campaign. These include allegations of groping and a peculiar incident involving a bear carcass, which was misrepresented as a bicycle accident. Additionally, Kennedy faced a disqualification from the New York state ballot over a residency issue.
Mary Beth Cahill, a political analyst, commented on Kennedy's political maneuvers, suggesting that his actions were influenced by his alignment with MAGA principles. "Desperate men do desperate things. RFK Jr. was recruited by MAGA, funded by MAGA, and parroted MAGA talking points. No one should be shocked if he formalizes his relationship in an attempt to maintain relevance," Cahill observed.
Reflecting on his public and private life challenges, Kennedy admitted to having numerous personal controversies. "I am not a church boy...I have so many skeletons in my closet that if they could all vote, I could run for king of the world," he joked during a recent interview.
Yet, when confronted with the groping allegations, Kennedy chose not to comment directly. This has led to further speculation about his immediate political future and the impact of his potential endorsement on the 2024 presidential race.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, the implications of Kennedy's decision could reshape party dynamics and influence voter sentiment in the upcoming election. The formal announcement, expected by the end of this week following his Phoenix speech, will provide clarity on the future course of his campaign and potentially realign current political alliances.
