Kennedy Jr. Joins Forces with Trump to ‘Unite the Republican Party’
In a surprising political twist, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has announced his support for former President Donald Trump, aiming to “unite” the Republican Party. He believes that Vice President Kamala Harris is unfit for the presidency.
Kennedy Jr. clarified in a recent interview on September 3rd, “We haven’t discussed any specific role for me in the administration. Our agreement is about uniting the Republican Party around certain key goals. This means I can maintain my differing views from former President Donald Trump, and vice versa.”
At 70 years old, Kennedy Jr., son of former Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy and nephew of the late President John F. Kennedy—both prominent figures in the Democratic Party—initially announced his presidential run as a Democrat in April 2023. However, he later switched to an independent candidacy. On August 23rd, Kennedy Jr. suspended his campaign and threw his support behind Trump, following an Ipsos poll that showed only 4% nationwide support for his candidacy. In response, Trump recently added Kennedy Jr. to his transition team, tasked with selecting officials should Trump win the upcoming election.
Reflecting on his campaign, Kennedy Jr. expressed frustration with the lack of media coverage, stating that he only participated in two live interviews over a span of 17 months, which severely limited his ability to connect with a broader voter base.
“I had no way to gain more support, and polls indicated that if I continued in the race, Vice President Kamala Harris would win. I don’t want to see that outcome,” he explained. “I don’t think Harris deserves to be president. We need a president who can handle interviews, clearly articulate a vision, speak fluently, defend their policies, and engage in debates and unscripted events.”
Recent polling averages from The Hill/Decision Desk HQ indicate that support for both Vice President Harris and Donald Trump has slightly increased—by 1% and 2%, respectively—since Kennedy Jr. shifted his support to Trump.
However, a recent ABC News/Ipsos poll released on September 1st reveals that 79% of voters stated Kennedy Jr.’s endorsement of Trump does not influence their choice in the upcoming November election.
Kennedy Jr. could have the most significant impact in battleground states, where he has urged his supporters to cast their votes for Trump. His name will remain on the ballots in key swing states like Wisconsin and Michigan, as both states have refused to remove him from the ticket.
