POLITICS
RFK Jr. plans to drop out and support Trump: How would that affect the race according to the polls?
US media is reporting the independent candidate will be ending his run for office after a dramatic collapse in polling over two months.
Independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is set to drop out of the 2024 presidential race and endorse Donald Trump. While not wholly unexpected after another tumultuous week for the Kennedy campaign, it has the potential to put another major twist into an election that has already been historic.
While nothing has been announced officially, it is expected that Kennedy is to declare for Donald Trump. He has had direct conversations with the former president, reportedly taking place during a meeting in Milwaukee during the Republican National Congress, where they discussed potential cabinet-level positions for Kennedy.
If Kennedy was to endorse Trump, it would be a boost for Trump’s chances in the election. Polling suggests that the majority of Kennedy voters support the Republican ticket over Kamala Harris for the Democrats.
Whether this would be enough to win the election is up for debate. Current polling suggests Harris is currently two-points up on Trump, just under the meagre 2.8% Kennedy now polls at. Should the majority of Kennedy voters move to Trump then it would make battles in the key battleground states even tighter than they currently are, with both candidates splitting them.
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Kennedy is to make a speech in Phoenix, Arizona on Friday where his ultimate plan will be laid out.
Why is Kennedy supporting Trump?
Donald Trump has shown interest in potentially offering Kennedy a role in his administration. After the announcement from Kennedy’s running mate, Nicole Shanahan, on Tuesday about the consideration of supporting the Republicans, Trump made his own reply.
“I like him, and I respect him,” Trump told CNN. “I didn’t know he was thinking about getting out, but if he is thinking about getting out, certainly I’d be open to [giving him a role in the administration.”
Trump will also be speaking in Arizona on Friday, which is now rumoured to be alongside Kennedy.
Last month, Kennedy attempted to arrange a meeting with the Democrat Kamala Harris. Reportedly it was to discuss the possibility of Kennedy serving in Harris’s administration, should she win the presidential race, in exchange for his endorsement.
Harris and her advisers did not respond to Kennedy’s request.