Trump’s bombshell reveal changes everything

A major twist has hit the US election race, as Donald Trump unveiled a surprise guest at his rally.

Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made his first appearance at a rally for former President Donald Trump on Friday hours after ending his campaign and endorsing the Republican nominee.

Kennedy, 70, made the announcement just days after speculation started swirling that he planned to axe his campaign and endorse Trump instead.

Trump, 78, described the 70-year-old scion of the Kennedy political dynasty as an “incredible champion” for American values and a “highly respected” and “great person” before bringing him out as a surprise guest at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona.

“Bobby! Bobby! Bobby!” Trump supporters in the packed arena chanted as he walked out on stage.

Former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump (R) welcomes onstage Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (L). Picture: Olivier TOURON / AFP

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (R) speaks as Republican presidential nominee. Picture: Rebecca Noble / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

“His candidacy has inspired millions and millions of Americans, raised critical issues that have been too long ignored in this country and brought together people from across the political spectrum in a positive campaign grounded in the American values of his father, Robert Kennedy, a great man, and his uncle, President John F Kennedy,” the former president continued.

“And I know that they are looking down right now, and they are very, very proud of Bobby. I’m proud of Bobby.”

RFK Jr. was influenced by talks between Trump allies and his team, as well as being snubbed by Democrats throughout the campaign, sources had earlier told The New York Post.

In a speech on Friday, he slammed his former party the Democrats for installing Vice President Kamala Harris without her appearing in a primary.

“I no longer believe that I have a realistic path of electoral victory,” Kennedy, who was mostly polling in the low single digits, said at a press conference in swing state Arizona.

“When a predictably bungled debate performance precipitated the palace coup against President Biden, the same shadowy DNC operatives appointed his successor, also without an election, they installed a candidate who was so unpopular with voters that she dropped out in 2020 without winning a single delegate,” he continued.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is dropping out of the 2024 race for the White House and will endorse former President Donald Trump. Picture: Rebecca Noble/ Getty Images via AFP

Kennedy’s running mate, Nicole Shanahan, had hinted earlier this week of possibly dropping out to “join forces” with Trump in a bid to stop Harris from winning.

Shortly after the revelation, Trump declared he’d be “honoured” to have Kennedy’s backing.

The news did not go down well with Kennedy’s famous family.

“Our brother Bobby’s decision to endorse Trump today is a betrayal of the values that our father and our family hold most dear,” his sister, human rights activist Kerry Kennedy, said on X.

“It is a sad ending to a sad story,” said the statement, also signed by four other siblings.

Trump vows to release JFK assassination docs

Trump slammed the “Harris-Biden administration” for denying Kennedy — who lost his father, the late Senator Robert F. Kennedy, and uncle, former President John. F Kennedy, to assassinations and faced numerous death threats during his campaign — Secret Service protection until after the Butler rally shooting.

Trump criticised the ‘Harris-Biden administration’ for denying Secret Service protection to Kennedy, and promised to establish a commission to release all federal records related to JFK’s murder if elected. Picture: AFP

As a “tribute” to RFK, Trump announced that if elected, he would establish a commission on assassination attempts that would release all federal records related to JFK’s murder.

“They will also conduct a rigorous review of the attack last month,” Trump noted.

“But I tell you, I have never had more people ask me, ‘Please, sir, release the documents on the Kennedy assassination,’ and we’re going to do that.”

It is believed that the concealed JFK assassination documents may contain information about the alleged involvement of CIA operatives and connections to organised crime, as well as details of US intelligence activities during the Cold War. Picture: Getty

It’s thought by some that still-concealed JFK assassination documents are believed to contain information about the alleged involvement of CIA operatives and possible connections to organised crime in the presidential assassination.

They may also have details of US intelligence activities during the Cold War, mainly related to Cuba and the Soviet Union, it’s further speculated.

Trump endorsement could swing race

Kennedy’s withdrawal came a day after Harris gave a strong speech in Chicago, accepting the Democratic presidential nomination and embarking on the final 10-week sprint to election day.

Analysts are mixed on the effect Kennedy’s exit will have on the presidential race and how much of his support will gravitate to Trump or Harris.

However, in a very tight contest, it is possible that even a few thousand votes in a crucial swing state could determine who wins the White House.

Harris and Trump are neck and neck in the polls less than three weeks before their September 10 debate in Philadelphia.

Trump, 78, had reportedly met with Kennedy in Milwaukee last month, on the first day of the Republican National Convention, in an effort to gain his endorsement.

The Harris campaign, meanwhile, is said to have rebuffed overtures to meet with the Kennedy scion.

Kennedy originally launched his campaign in April 2023, when he ran as a Democrat against Biden.

He then changed party affiliation to independent in October, criticizing both the Republican and Democratic parties for making up the “uniparty.”

The Democrat-turned-independent’s campaign policies attracted both liberals and conservatives with his anti-war, environmental and Covid-skeptical positions.

Trump said he’d be “honoured” to have the endorsement. Picture: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

Kennedy rose in the polls, especially after becoming an independent and forging his own lane outside of Biden’s shadow.

Some polls had him over 20 per cent, causing some of his supporters to compare him to Ross Perot, who received major support as a third-party candidate in 1992 and 1996.

As an independent, Kennedy’s largest challenge was getting on the ballot in every state. The process cost him millions, according to his campaign, as well as time and several lawsuits.

His campaign claimed as of Friday that he had finished or was in the process of petitioning in all 50 states. It’s unclear how many states will still feature him on the ballot even with his suspension.

The announcement is a blow for Kamala Harris. Picture: Robyn Beck / AFP

Kennedy started to falter after he failed to reach the minimum potential electoral vote threshold to get on the debate stage with Trump and Biden in June. He also faced some criticism after his VP pick seemed to disagree with him on his views on abortion, leading the campaign to do cleanup.

He then was hit with stories about his past, including his claim he suffered from a “brain worm” and revealing that he left a dead bear in Central Park.

The Trump team and allies of the former president were looking to court Kennedy for months, especially Donald Trump Jr., who worried that the independent would take away votes and be an unpredictable factor in the close race against Harris.

Kennedy was seen discussing the election with Trump on the phone in a leaked video, prompting intrigue over what concessions Kennedy was looking for to ultimately support the 45th president.

- With AFP, NY Post,

Originally published as Trump’s bombshell reveal changes everything