RFK Jr. stops his 2024 campaign and backs Trump. Timeline of his presidential run.
Breaking News: Robert F. Kennedy Suspends Presidential Campaign
Robert F. Kennedy, the independent presidential candidate, made a shocking announcement on Friday as he suspended his campaign and threw his support behind the Republican nominee, Donald Trump.
At an event in Arizona, Kennedy addressed his supporters and the press, stating, “In my heart, I no longer believe I have a realistic path to an electoral victory. I am not terminating my campaign. I am simply suspending it.”
The decision came as Kennedy accused the Democratic Party of “abandoning democracy” and claimed that the election process was not an honest system, suggesting that he would have won if it had been. In a strategic move, Kennedy revealed that his name will remain on the ballot in Democratic states, but he will withdraw his name from battleground states to avoid diverting votes from Trump and potentially helping Vice President Kamala Harris secure a higher chance of winning.
“Many months ago, I promised the American people that I would withdraw from the race if I became a spoiler,” Kennedy stated. A “spoiler” in political terms refers to a third-party candidate who draws votes away from candidates of the two major parties, impacting their chances of winning.
Surprisingly, Kennedy endorsed Trump, and the former president reciprocated by expressing his willingness to consider offering Kennedy a position in his administration if he gets elected.
Let’s take a walk down memory lane and revisit the key moments of Kennedy’s presidential campaign:
April 5, 2023: Kennedy files his candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination.
April 19, 2023: Kennedy officially announces his campaign at Park Plaza Hotel in Boston, Mass., emphasizing his concerns about the impact of drugs and vaccines on society.
June 15, 2023: Kennedy’s interview with Joe Rogan raises eyebrows as he voices fears of the CIA plotting against him and delves into conspiracy theories regarding his family members’ assassinations. Additionally, he controversially claims that Wi-Fi causes cancer.
July 15, 2023: The New York Post publishes a piece detailing racist and conspiratorial remarks made by Kennedy at a dinner party in relation to the COVID pandemic.
Aug. 13, 2023: At the Iowa State Fair, Kennedy’s stance on abortion becomes muddled as he initially supports a national ban on abortions after three months, only for his campaign spokesperson to later clarify that he had misunderstood the question.
Fast forward to Sept. 23, 2023, when reports surface that Kennedy is set to run as an independent candidate, breaking away from the Democratic Party.
Oct. 9, 2023: Kennedy formally announces his decision to run as an independent, accompanied by a change in campaign leadership. His daughter-in-law, Amaryllis Fox Kennedy, takes over as campaign manager.
The campaign gains momentum as the American Values PAC focuses its efforts on securing Kennedy a place on the ballots in key states like Arizona, California, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, New York, and Texas, by Dec. 22, 2023.
Jan. 2, 2024: Kennedy appoints Del Bigtree, a prominent anti-vaccine activist, as his communications director.
Jan. 3, 2024: Utah becomes the first state to grant Kennedy ballot access.
As the presidential race intensifies, Kennedy shores up support by securing ballot access in New Hampshire on Jan. 23, 2024.
Jan. 29, 2024: Kennedy reveals that the Trump campaign reached out to discuss the possibility of him serving as vice president if Trump wins, to which Kennedy declines.
Feb. 11, 2024: A homage to Kennedy’s uncle plays out as the American Values PAC airs a recreation of John F. Kennedy’s 1960 campaign ad during the Super Bowl at a staggering cost of $7 million, signaling a significant campaign milestone.
March 12, 2024: Kennedy announces his shortlist for a running mate, including prominent figures from various political backgrounds.
March 26, 2024: Philanthropist and attorney Nicole Shanahan is unveiled as Kennedy’s running mate, adding a new dynamic to the campaign.
April 1, 2024: Kennedy takes a strong stance against Biden, asserting that he poses a greater threat to democracy than Trump in an interview with CNN.
April 18, 2024: Kennedy secures ballot access in Michigan, further solidifying his presence in the race.
May 8, 2024: Revelations about Kennedy’s health in a 2012 deposition emerge, with claims of a dead worm found in his brain. Kennedy responds defiantly, asserting his readiness to take on Trump and Biden in debates.
June 10, 2024: The Kennedy campaign asserts its readiness for the presidential race, claiming they have secured enough electoral votes to exceed the 270 threshold required for victory.
The campaign hits a snag on June 11, 2024, as legal battles ensue to keep Kennedy off the New York ballot due to allegations of misrepresenting his residency.
Despite being snubbed from CNN’s presidential debate, Kennedy hosts a rival event in Los Angeles on June 27, attempting to engage with the questions posed to Biden and Trump in real time.
As the campaign unfolds, Vanity Fair publishes a revealing expose on the Kennedy family, stirring controversy with allegations against Robert F. Kennedy, including a surmised act of animal cruelty.
July 16, 2024: Kennedy is embroiled in a scandal following the leak of a private phone call with Trump, hinting at possible attempts to secure Kennedy’s allegiance.
The narrative takes a bizarre turn as Kennedy shares peculiar anecdotes, from transporting a dead bear to Central Park to his lifelong fascination with roadkill as disclosed in an interview with the New York Post on Aug. 7, 2024.
Legal battles escalate on Aug. 12, 2024, as Judge Christina Ryba orders Kennedy’s removal from the New York ballot for misrepresentation of residency, prompting the campaign to file an appeal.
Speculations loom about Kennedy and Shanahan contemplating withdrawal from the race, stirring conversations about the impact on the dynamics of the presidential election.
As the suspense builds up, Kennedy announces plans for a press conference in Phoenix, Ariz., to lay out the campaign’s future trajectory on Aug. 23, 2024.
The climax arrives on Aug. 22, 2024, as Kennedy withdraws his name from the Arizona ballot, paving the way for his subsequent declaration of suspending the campaign the following day in a bid to streamline support for Trump in critical battleground states.
In a move that marks the culmination of a tumultuous journey, Kennedy’s decision to suspend his presidential bid underscores the complexity and unpredictability of the political landscape and leaves a lasting impact on the 2024 presidential race.
