Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is reportedly considering ending his presidential candidacy in the coming days, as the campaign faces significant challenges and dwindling resources, CBS News reports, citing two sources close to his campaign.
On Wednesday, Amaryllis Fox, Kennedy’s campaign director, sent an email to staff thanking them for their contributions while indicating that Kennedy is contemplating suspending his campaign. Late Thursday, CBS News reported that RFK Jr. would not appear on Arizona’s ballot despite qualifying, as his campaign filed paperwork to withdraw his candidacy.
Kennedy’s campaign announced on his website that he intends to address the nation on Friday regarding “the present historical moment and his path forward,” with ABC News suggesting he is likely to announce the end of his campaign.
Challenges and Adviser Opinions
Sources indicate that Kennedy recognizes his path to victory is increasingly unfeasible and that campaign funding is drying up. Advisers are divided: some urge him to endorse former President Donald Trump, while others advocate for him to stay in the race. His wife, actress Cheryl Hines, is reportedly opposed to any support for Trump and has publicly expressed her disapproval, notably stating to TMZ in February, “I think Bobby knows me very well,” when asked if she would back RFK’s potential alliance with Trump.
Financial disclosures reveal that some advisers encouraging Kennedy to continue running are well-compensated. Del Bigtree, the campaign’s communications director, earned $20,000 in July, while Charles Eisenstein, the director of messaging, received $21,667. Meanwhile, the campaign is over $3 million in debt.
Kennedy’s running mate, Nicole Shanahan, has pledged to fund efforts for ballot access, which include fighting legal challenges initiated by Democratic Party allies. The campaign states that Kennedy needs to submit signatures in just four more states to finalize his ballot access.
On the “Impact Theory” podcast, Shanahan mentioned her concerns about Kennedy potentially pulling votes from Trump, suggesting that stepping back from the race and aligning with Trump could be a strategic move. She noted a flurry of communications from Democratic associates expressing alarm over the possibility of a Kennedy-Trump partnership, asserting the Democratic establishment had resorted to sabotaging their campaign.
Reactions and Potential Endorsements
In a further development, Senator JD Vance, Trump’s running mate, told CBS News that he would welcome an endorsement from Kennedy. “I think it’s a great endorsement for the president to have,” Vance stated during an interview with Norah O’Donnell. He emphasized his support for Kennedy joining the Trump campaign, though he noted uncertainty regarding whether such an endorsement would materialize.
A source close to Trump indicated that any endorsement from Kennedy would be a personal decision on his part, stemming from his own conclusions about the future rather than a negotiated deal with Trump.
Earlier this year, a video surfaced of a speakerphone conversation between RFK Jr. and Trump, where the former president appeared to agree with Kennedy’s controversial views on vaccines and encouraged him to endorse his campaign.
As speculation mounts regarding Kennedy’s next steps, the Democratic National Committee responded to the prospect of his campaign ending, stating, “desperate men do desperate things.”
Kennedy’s campaign has not yet commented on the unfolding situation, which continues to evolve as Friday’s anticipated address approaches.
