RFK Jr. defies expectations with breaking campaign announcement

After rumors that he would drop out of the presidential race and endorse former President Trump on Friday, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced in Phoenix, Arizona, that he is suspending his campaign but that his name will remain on the ballot in many states.

Praising his supporters for their dedicated grassroots efforts, he explained that he cannot in good conscience continue to ask for their time, energy, and money when his path to victory appears nearly impossible. He blamed the federal government and the media censorship complex for his failure to gain more support.

Before appearing live in Phoenix, where he reportedly may campaign with the former president Friday afternoon, Kennedy confirmed his endorsement for Trump in a court filing in Pennsylvania, a swing state. 

"Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Nicole Shanahan as the We The People candidates for President and Vice President of the United States, as a result of today’s endorsement of Donald Trump for the office of President of the United States... request dismissal of their nomination papers so that they do not appear on the Commonwealth’s 2024 general election ballot," the court document stated.

However, his announcement in Arizona was less straightforward than expected. While the nephew of the late John F. Kennedy confirmed he is suspending his campaign, he distinguished that he is not ending his bid for the presidency, encouraging voters in non-swing states to still vote for him.

“I want everyone to know that I am not terminating my campaign,” he said. “I am simply suspending it and not ending it. My name will remain on the ballot in most states. If you live in a blue state, you can vote for me without harming or helping President Trump or Vice President Harris. In red states, the same will apply.”

He suggested that if neither Trump nor Harris win 270 electoral votes, the threshold for victory, he “could conceivably still end up in the White House.”


In a press conference immediately following, Trump thanked RFK for his endorsement. “He’s a great guy,” he said, “respected by everybody.” 

This is a developing story. Refresh for updates.