Robert F. Kennedy Jr suspends fringe White House bid

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the son of the late Democratic icon Robert F. Kennedy, announced the suspension of his independent presidential campaign on Friday, endorsing former President Donald Trump. Speaking at a press conference in Arizona, Kennedy cited a lack of a realistic path to victory and expressed concerns about potentially acting as a spoiler in key battleground states. His decision has sparked mixed reactions, particularly from his family, with five siblings condemning the endorsement as a betrayal of their family's values. Kennedy's campaign had been marked by controversy, including bizarre claims and a struggle to secure ballot access in many states. Despite initially being seen as a threat to Democrats, recent polling suggested he might draw more votes from Trump. Analysts are now speculating on how Kennedy's supporters will react, with the potential for a few thousand votes in swing states to significantly impact the election outcome. At a rally in Glendale, Trump welcomed Kennedy, praising his campaign and hinting at a possible role for him in a future administration. Kennedy echoed sentiments of shared goals with Trump, particularly regarding free speech and foreign policy, while also criticizing the Democratic Party for abandoning its core values. He emphasized that he would remain on the ballot in states where he believed he would not affect the election outcome. The endorsement has raised questions about the dynamics of the upcoming election, with both Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris's campaigns adjusting strategies in light of Kennedy's unexpected pivot. Harris's campaign has sought to appeal to disillusioned voters, while Trump aims to consolidate support from Kennedy's base.