Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Set to Suspend Presidential Campaign at Arizona Event
Washington, D.C.: Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the independent presidential candidate, is anticipated to suspend his campaign during an event in Arizona on Friday, according to CNN sources familiar with the situation.
Kennedy is reportedly in discussions with Donald Trump’s team about the possibility of endorsing the Republican nominee and attending Trump’s rally in the Phoenix area. His campaign announced that he would deliver a speech in Phoenix on Friday morning, marking the first public event for Kennedy since early July.
This news follows a podcast interview where Kennedy’s running mate, Nicole Shanahan, indicated that the campaign is contemplating a coalition with Trump to mitigate the chances of Vice President Kamala Harris winning the election.
On Tuesday, Trump acknowledged Kennedy’s potential role in a future administration if he were to withdraw from the race and endorse Trump. “He’s a brilliant guy. I’ve known him for a long time,” Trump stated. Discussions between Kennedy’s team and Trump’s allies have been ongoing since before the Republican National Convention in July.
Despite their earlier disagreements—particularly regarding Trump’s pandemic policies and vaccine rollout—both candidates have since displayed a warmer relationship. Recent polling indicates that Kennedy’s campaign has struggled, with him capturing only 5% of voter support compared to Harris’s 47% and Trump’s 44%.
Kennedy’s campaign is also facing financial challenges, reporting just $3.9 million in funds and nearly $3.5 million in debts. Both Democrats and Republicans are wary of Kennedy’s influence on the presidential race, particularly in battleground states.
