Kennedy Exits Race, Points Finger at Media for Campaign Downfall

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. blames media censorship for his campaign’s failure while suspending his independent run and endorsing Donald Trump.

At a Glance

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. halts his presidential campaign, endorses Donald Trump.
Kennedy attributes his campaign’s struggles to censorship and media control.
Kennedy is removing his name from ballots in battleground states to support Trump.
Kennedy’s support significantly dropped in national polls during his campaign.

Kennedy Suspends Campaign, Endorses Trump

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has officially suspended his independent presidential candidacy and thrown his support behind former President Donald Trump. He attributes the failure of his campaign primarily to relentless censorship and media control. Kennedy emphasized that these systematic curbs imposed by mainstream and social media outlets significantly hindered his ability to communicate his viewpoints to the electorate.

In his speech, Kennedy remarked, “In my heart, I no longer believe that I have a realistic path of electoral victory in the face of this relentless, systematic censorship and media control.” This sentiment underscores his belief that media restrictions played a pivotal role in his campaign’s inability to gain momentum.

Removal from Ballots to Aid Trump

Kennedy is taking steps to remove his name from ballots in crucial battleground states. This move is intended to avoid drawing votes away from Trump, thereby improving the former president’s chances in the upcoming election. Kennedy’s decision follows extensive discussions with Trump, during which they shared mutual concerns regarding censorship and its negative impact on democratic engagement and fair political campaigns.

“He invited me to form a unity government. We agreed that we’d be able to continue to criticize each other on the issues where we don’t agree, but these issues are so important and they’re a way of unifying the country,” said Kennedy, describing his discussions with Trump. This unity government concept aims to bridge the partisan divide while addressing critical issues plaguing the nation.

Media and Financial Challenges

Kennedy’s campaign faced severe challenges, including gaining access to state ballots. Despite these hurdles, his campaign was recorded as the most successful independent national ballot access effort in 30 years. Yet, Kennedy’s support dwindled from around 15% to single digits in national election polls due to limited media exposure and financial difficulties—ending July with $3.9 million in cash and $3.4 million in debt.

“Sixteen months of censorship, of not being able to get on any network really except for Fox,” Kennedy recounted, highlighting the stark difference in media exposure. “When Ross Perot ran, in the 10 months that he ran, he had 34 appearances on the networks. I had two appearances in 16 months, so I was blocked out of the networks, and I was blocked out of the debate. I had no path to victory.”

A Controversial Endorsement

Kennedy’s endorsement of Trump has stirred controversy, with some of his family members expressing dismay. Five of Kennedy’s family members issued a statement, calling his support for Trump “a sad ending to a sad story.” Despite this, Kennedy remains steadfast in his decision, reiterating his intent to remain involved in political discourse and advocacy, albeit in a suspended, not terminated, campaign.

“In an honest system, I believe I would have won the election,” Kennedy stated, reflecting his belief that media censorship and control were significant factors in his electoral defeat. Throughout his campaign, Kennedy aimed to appeal to a wide array of voters, including New Age influencers, environmental activists, Silicon Valley pundits, and right-wing fans, but faced insurmountable obstacles.

A Future Role in Politics?

Kennedy has hinted at potential roles in a future Trump administration, should Trump be re-elected. These discussions indicate that Kennedy may continue to play a significant role in shaping political and public health policies. His running mate, Nicole Shanahan, suggested he could lead the Department of Health and Human Services, reflecting their shared vision for agency reform.

“[P]harma executives and consultants and lobbyists cycle in and out of these [government regulatory] agencies,” Kennedy said. “With President Trump’s backing I’m going to change that. We’re going to staff these agencies with honest scientists and doctors who are free from industry funding, or make sure the decisions of consumers, doctors and patients are informed by unbiased science.”

Despite the challenges and criticisms, Kennedy emphasized his dedication to his causes. “I have the certainty that this is what I’m meant to do,” he believes, suggesting a continued commitment to challenging the status quo and advocating for his beliefs, even as he prepares to aid Trump in his quest for the White House.