Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has officially ended his 2024 presidential campaign and announced his endorsement of former President Donald Trump, signaling a dramatic shift in his political journey. His departure from the race was marked by a speech in Phoenix that bore a striking resemblance to Trump’s rhetoric.
In his address on Friday, Kennedy criticized the Democratic Party for what he described as a betrayal of democratic principles. He echoed Trump’s populist style, accusing Democrats and the media of conspiring to undermine his campaign. He denounced Vice President Kamala Harris for her failure to secure primary votes in the 2020 race and likened the control exerted by President Joe Biden and Harris over the Democratic Party to the autocratic rule of Vladimir Putin in Russia.
“The DNC and its media organs engineered a surge of popularity for VP Harris based upon nothing. No policies, no interviews, no debates. Only smoke and mirrors,” he asserted.
Kennedy’s speech had a tone and content that seemed to channel Trump’s characteristic style. He opened by attacking his critics and voicing his belief that he had been unjustly sidelined. He also reiterated his past promises, stating, “Many months ago I promised the American people I would withdraw from the race if I became a spoiler… In my heart, I no longer believe I have a realistic path to electoral victory.”
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Although Kennedy announced his support for Trump, he framed his exit from the race as a strategic move rather than a complete withdrawal. He clarified that he is not formally ending his campaign but suspending it, maintaining his name on the ballot in some states while removing it from ten key battleground states.
Kennedy emphasized the systemic barriers he faced, including what he described as relentless censorship and media control, which he said made it untenable for him to continue. He expressed his gratitude to his supporters and acknowledged the challenges his campaign encountered in getting on the ballot.
In a nod to Trump’s influence, Kennedy highlighted the alignment of their grievances and portrayed Trump as a partner in a shared struggle against the establishment. The timing of his announcement coincides with Trump’s rally in Arizona, where he hinted at a “special guest,” further underscoring the connection between the two figures.
Check some clips of his remarks below:
This speech from RFK Jr. will go down in the history books:
“The DNC and its media organs engineered a surge of popularity for VP Harris based upon nothing. No policies, no interviews, no debates. Only smoke and mirrors.” pic.twitter.com/B0ilERBIEF
— Steve Cortes (@CortesSteve) August 23, 2024
RFK Jr: "In the name of saving democracy, the Democratic Party set itself to dismantling it. Lacking confidence that its candidate could win in a fair election at the voting booth, the DNC waged continual legal warfare against both President Trump and myself." pic.twitter.com/vrjP3yTLlV
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) August 23, 2024
