Robert F. Kennedy Jr. withdrew from the poll in Arizona late Thursday, a day earlier than he and Donald Trump had been set to look miles aside within the Phoenix space as hypothesis grows that Kennedy may drop his impartial presidential bid and endorse the Republican nominee.
Kennedy is scheduled to talk at 2 p.m. Japanese time in Phoenix “about the present historical moment and his path forward,” in accordance with his marketing campaign. Hours later, Trump will maintain a rally in neighboring Glendale.
Trump, campaigning Thursday in southern Arizona on the U.S.-Mexico border, mentioned that “no plans have been made” for Kennedy to look with him on Friday. However he famous they’d be in the identical metropolis on the identical time.
On Thursday night, Trump’s marketing campaign made an uncommon announcement, teasing that he can be joined by “a special guest” at his Glendale occasion.
Hours later when he referred to as into Fox Information Channel after the Democratic Nationwide Conference wrapped, Trump mentioned of Kennedy, “I have no idea if he’s going to endorse me.”
However he famous that they had been going to be in the identical state and mentioned, “It’s possible we will be meeting tomorrow and we’ll be discussing it.”
Representatives for Trump’s marketing campaign didn’t reply to messages about whether or not Kennedy can be the visitor and the Kennedy marketing campaign didn’t instantly return a message looking for remark if he can be becoming a member of Trump.
Kennedy’s Arizona withdrawal, confirmed by a spokesperson for the secretary of state, got here lower than per week after Kennedy submitted properly greater than the required variety of signatures to look on the poll. His critics raised questions concerning the validity of a number of the signatures after a pro-Kennedy tremendous PAC was closely concerned in his effort to gather them, doubtlessly operating afoul of guidelines in opposition to coordination between candidates and impartial political teams.
However on Thursday, Kennedy, his operating mate, Nicole Shanahan and all of their electors submitted notarized letters dated that day, withdrawing from the race within the state.
A 12 months in the past, some would have thought it inconceivable that Kennedy—a member of probably the most storied household in Democratic politics—would work with Trump to maintain a Democrat out of the White Home. Even in current months, Kennedy has accused Trump of betraying his followers, whereas Trump has criticized Kennedy as “the most radical left candidate in the race.”
However the two campaigns have ramped up their compliments to one another and engaged in behind-the-scenes discussions in current weeks, in accordance with these conversant in the efforts. Each campaigns have spent months accusing Democrats of weaponizing the authorized system for their very own profit. And each have hinted publicly that they may very well be open to becoming a member of forces, with the shared objective of limiting the election possibilities of Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris.
Final month, throughout the Republican Nationwide Conference, Kennedy’s son posted after which shortly deleted a video displaying a telephone name between Kennedy and Trump, through which the previous president appeared to attempt to speak Kennedy into siding with him.
Talks between the 2 camps have continued, with shut Trump allies quietly lobbying Kennedy to drop out of the race and assist the Republican nominee, in accordance with an individual conversant in the efforts who spoke on situation of anonymity to debate personal conversations.
Trump instructed CNN on Tuesday that he would “love” an endorsement from Kennedy, whom he referred to as a “brilliant guy.” He additionally mentioned he would “certainly” be open to Kennedy enjoying a job in his administration if Kennedy drops out and endorses him.
Shanahan, additionally overtly urged on a podcast this week that his marketing campaign would possibly “walk away right now and join forces with Donald Trump.” Whereas she clarified that she will not be personally in talks with Trump, she entertained the concept Kennedy may be a part of Trump’s administration as secretary of the Division of Well being and Human Providers.
“I think that Bobby in a role like that would be excellent,” Shanahan mentioned. “I fully support it. I have high hopes.”
Kennedy, a son of former Legal professional Basic Robert F. Kennedy and a nephew of former President John F. Kennedy, hasn’t disclosed the explanation for his Friday remarks, however they arrive as his marketing campaign’s momentum has slipped.
Kennedy Jr. first entered the 2024 presidential race as a Democrat however left the get together final fall to run as an impartial. He constructed an unusually robust base for a third-party bid, fueled partly by anti-establishment voters and vaccine skeptics who’ve adopted his anti-vaccine work because the COVID-19 pandemic. However he has since confronted strained marketing campaign funds and mounting authorized challenges, together with a current ruling from a New York choose that he mustn’t seem on the poll within the state as a result of he listed a “sham” handle on nominating petitions.
Current polls put his assist within the mid-single digits. And it is unclear if he’d get even that in a basic election, since third-party candidates often don’t stay as much as their early ballot numbers when voters really solid their ballots.
There’s some proof that Kennedy’s staying within the race would harm Trump greater than Harris. In response to a July AP-NORC ballot, Republicans had been considerably extra possible than Democrats to have a good view of Kennedy. And people with a optimistic impression of Kennedy had been considerably extra more likely to even have a good view of Trump (52%) than Harris (37%).
In an interview with MSNBC on the Democratic Nationwide Conference in Chicago on Thursday, Harris communications director Michael Tyler mentioned her marketing campaign welcomes Kennedy voters ought to the impartial candidate drop out.
For voters who see Trump as a risk, who’re searching for a brand new approach ahead, or who need “government to get the hell out of the way of their own personal decisions, there’s a home for you in Kamala Harris’ campaign,” Tyler mentioned.
For Trump, Friday will mark the tip of per week’s value of battleground state visits through which he has sought to attract consideration away from Democrats’ celebration of Harris’ presidential nomination in Chicago.
He traveled to Pennsylvania, Michigan, North Carolina, and Arizona’s U.S.-Mexico border for occasions centered on his coverage proposals on the financial system, crime and security, nationwide safety and the border. He’ll shut out the week Friday with stops in Las Vegas and Glendale.
