Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated Friday that he was suspending his marketing campaign – with a twist.
Kennedy pushed supporters who dwell in 10 swing states to again Republican nominee Donald Trump, however stated his title would stay on the ballots in conventional pink or blue states.
‘I would really like everybody to know that I’m not terminating my marketing campaign, I’m merely suspending it and never ending it,’ Kennedy stated in Arizona on Friday. ‘My title will stay on the poll in most states.’
In long-winded remarks, the nephew of Democratic President John F. Kennedy stated he was withdrawing from the race in swing states as a result of, ‘I’d doubtless hand the election over to the Democrats, with whom I disagree on probably the most existential points.’
The complicated announcement was the most recent chapter in a 16-month saga that introduced mind worms, dog-eating and lifeless bear cubs into the political vernacular.
Kennedy went scorched earth on his former social gathering, the Democrats, throughout his Phoenix remarks – however did not instantly reveal his plans.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated Friday that he was suspending his marketing campaign – with a twist. He inspired backers in swing states to pick former President Donald Trump. He made the announcement in Phoenix, Arizona
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (left) and his spouse Cheryl Hines (proper) in the course of the launch of his unbiased presidential bid in October in Philadelphia
A younger Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (proper) together with his uncle, President John F. Kennedy (left) in 1961. RFK Jr. left the Democratic Get together in October and on Friday endorsed the Republican nominee, former President Donald Trump
‘I started this journey as a Democrat, the social gathering of my father, my uncle, the social gathering I pledged my allegiance to lengthy earlier than I used to be sufficiently old to vote,’ he reminded the group.
Kennedy then blasted the Democratic Get together for ‘canceling the first to hide the cognitive decline of the sitting president.’
He later added that the Democrats ‘ran a sham main that was rigged to forestall any critical problem to President Biden.’
As soon as Biden, he stated, ‘predictably bungled’ the controversy in opposition to Trump, a ‘palace coup’ befell.
‘The identical shadowy DNC operatives appointed his successor, additionally with out an election,’ Kennedy charged.
‘They put in a candidate who was so unpopular with voters that she dropped out in 2020 with out profitable a single delegate,’ Kennedy stated.
Kennedy additionally slammed Democratic nominee Kamala Harris for not participating in a sit-down interview but.
‘My uncle and father each relished debate. They prided themselves on their capability to go toe-to-toe with any opponent within the battle over concepts,’ Kennedy stated. ‘They might be astonished to be taught of the Democratic Get together presidential nominee who, like Vice President Harris, has not appeared in a single interview or an unscripted encounter with votesr for 35 days.’
‘That is profoundly undemocratic,’ Kennedy stated. ‘How are individuals to decide on when they do not know whom they’re selecting?’
He blasted the Democrats for being additional vital of Trump, noting that the GOP nominee was talked about 147 instances in the course of the first day of the just-wrapped Chicago conference.
‘Who wants a coverage when you could have Trump to hate?’ he requested.
Throughout his remarks, Kennedy pushed that he had been cheated out of a victory by the system.
‘In an trustworthy system, I consider I’ll have received the election,’ he claimed.
Supporters of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. watch as he suspends his presidential marketing campaign Friday from Phoenix, Arizona – close by the place former President Donald Trump is ready to seem
Supporters and reporters watch as unbiased presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. form of pulled the plug on his marketing campaign. He stated he would take away his title from 10 swing state ballots and inspired supporters there to vote for former President Donald Trump
He additionally instructed supporters that there was nonetheless an opportunity he might win – because the election may very well be tossed to Congress if Harris and Trump tie within the Electoral School rely.
However Kennedy defined that he began to think about partnering with Trump when the Republican nominee requested to talk to him about his No. 1 situation – fixing persistent illness.
The 2 met the following day, after which later Kennedy met with Trump and his members of the family whereas in Florida.
‘I used to be shocked to find that we’re aligned on many key points,’ Kennedy stated.
‘In these conferences he instructed we be a part of forces as a unity social gathering,’ the unbiased continued. ‘We talked about Abraham Lincoln’s Group of Rivals.’
‘That association would enable us to disagree publicly and privately and fiercely if want be on points over which we differ, whereas working collectively on the existential points upon which we’re in concordance.’
Trump is talking in close by Glendale later Friday and his marketing campaign teased a ‘particular visitor’ would be a part of him onstage.
A video of unbiased presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was leaked that showcases his phone dialog final month with former President Donald Trump
One of many weirder moments throughout RFK Jr.’s marketing campaign was his admission earlier this month that he left the corpse of a lifeless bear cub in New York’s Central Park in 2014
That visitor was largely believed to be Kennedy.
Earlier whereas in Las Vegas, the GOP nominee reacted to the Kennedy information.
‘We simply had a really good endorsement from RFK junior, Bobby.. And I shall be speaking about that. We’re heading out proper after this. We shall be going to Arizona. We shall be speaking about that and lot of different issues too,’ Trump stated. ‘However I simply need to thank all people and I need to thank Bobby.’
‘That was very good, that was actually very good,’ the GOP nominee stated. ‘That is large. He is a terrific man, revered by all people.’
DailyMail.com polling suggests that RFK Jr.’s exit might give the Republican a lift.
Kennedy’s siblings – who help Harris – launched a joint assertion slamming their brother’s determination.
‘Our brother Bobby’s determination to endorse Trump immediately is a betrayal of the values that our father and our household maintain most pricey,’ stated Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, Courtney Kennedy, Kerry Kennedy, Chris Kennedy and Rory Kennedy.
Numerous different Kennedy members of the family work within the present Biden administration.
RFK Jr.’s father – Sen. Robert F. Kennedy – was campaigning for the Democratic nomination and had simply received California’s main when he was assassinated in 1968.
Kennedy’s siblings put out a joint assertion condemning his endorsement of former President Donald Trump calling it a ‘betrayal of the values that our father and our household maintain most pricey’
Jack Schlossberg, the grandson of President John F. Kennedy, posted to X Friday: ‘By no means been much less shocked in my life’
Jack Schlossberg, the grandson of President John F. Kennedy, posted to X Friday: ‘By no means been much less shocked in my life.’
‘Been saying it for over a yr – RFKjr is on the market, works for Trump. Bedfellows and loving it,’ Schlossberg stated. ‘Kamala Harris is for the individuals – the best determination of all time simply go simpler.’
Schlossberg spoke this week on the Democratic Nationwide Conference in Chicago.
Within the lead-up to the conference, The Washington Publish reported that Kennedy had reached out to these in Harris’ orbit to see if he may very well be appointed to a job inside her administration, maybe a Cupboard place, in alternate for dropping out.
The Democrats referred to as the hassle laughable.
On Friday, the Democratic Nationwide Committee continued to trash Kennedy.
‘The extra voters discovered about RFK Jr., the much less they preferred him,’ Senior Advisor Mary Beth Cahill stated. ‘Donald Trump is not incomes an endorsement that is going to assist construct help, he is inheriting the bags of a failed fringe candidate. Good riddance.’
The Harris-Walz marketing campaign selected a barely totally different tact, welcoming Kennedy’s supporters into the fold.
‘For any American on the market who’s uninterested in Donald Trump and on the lookout for a brand new approach ahead, ours is a marketing campaign for you,’ Harris-Walz 2024 Marketing campaign Chair Jen O’Malley Dillon stated. ‘With a purpose to ship for working individuals and those that really feel left behind, we want a pacesetter who will combat for you, not only for themselves, and produce us collectively, not tear us aside. Vice President Harris needs to earn your help.’
‘Even when we don’t agree on each situation, Kamala Harris is aware of there’s extra that unites us than divides us: respect for our rights, public security, defending our freedoms, and alternative for all,’ O’Malley Dillon added.
Kennedy’s personal spouse, Cheryl Hines, posted excitedly in 2020 when Biden picked Harris to be VP.
‘One small step for lady, one big leap for womankind,’ the Curb Your Enthusiasm actress posted on Instagram, tagging it #impressed.
In a press release Friday, she stated, ‘I deeply respect the choice Bobby made to run on the precept of unity.’
‘During the last yr and a half, I’ve met some extraordinary individuals from all events — Democrats, Republicans, and Independents,’ Hines stated. ‘It has been my expertise that the overwhelming majority of all events are really good individuals who need one of the best for our nation and for one another.’
Kennedy’s spouse Cheryl Hines (proper), who previously supported Vice President Kamala Harris stated in a press release Friday after her husband backed Trump: ”I deeply respect the choice Bobby made to run on the precept of unity’
‘It has been an eye-opening, transformative, and endearing journey,’ the actress added.
Her husband conceded in a follow-up submit that his spouse wasn’t totally on board with this determination.
‘I’m so grateful to my superb spouse Cheryl for her unconditional love, as I made a political determination with which she could be very uncomfortable,’ he admitted.
Forward of Friday’s large announcement, a court docket submitting beat Kennedy to the punch.
In Pennsylvania, Kennedy put in writing that he deliberate to endorse Trump, in accordance with the Related Press.
He additionally requested to be faraway from Pennsylvania’s poll.
The information broke as journalists waited for the candidate to talk, after he had similary withdrawn from Arizona’s poll.
Earlier Friday, Kennedy’s operating mate, Nicole Shanahan, forged some doubt {that a} Trump endorsement would occur, telling podcast host Adam Carolla that Trump wanted to apologize for his COVID-19 response.
‘The hesitation we now have proper now in becoming a member of forces with Trump is that he has not apologized or publicly come out and stated Operation Warp Velocity was my fault, was a failure and I let it occur,’ Shanahan stated.
Operation Warp Velocity was Trump’s public-private partnership for the swift improvement of COVID-19 vaccines.
Trump, rightly, took credit score for Operation Warp Velocity and he and his allies expressed dismay when the fruits of that labor – Pfizer’s announcement that the vaccine prevented greater than 90 % of infections – did not come out till after Election Day 2020.
Since then, with vaccine skepticism on the rise on the political proper, Trump has distanced himself from the COVID vaccine.
Shanahan stated Trump wanted to apologize for the COVID lockdowns and for holding Dr. Anthony Fauci as a high adviser too.
‘There was quite a bit that occurred underneath Donald Trump’s watch that ought to not have occurred and can’t occur once more,’ she instructed Carolla. ‘And if we’re going to put our wager with him – and we have not, we now have not confirmed something – we want absolute assurance.’
Shanahan wasn’t onstage in the course of the Friday announcement.
