Presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is likely to drop out of the White House race, as the independent candidate is set to give a major speech this weekend, US media reported on Wednesday.
The New York Times and CNN reported that Kennedy, whose support stood at 8.7 percent in a nationwide poll conducted by The Hill this week, would endorse Republican nominee Donald Trump if he drops out of the election.
Analysts say that in the tough contest between Democratic Party’s Kamala Harris and Trump for the presidency, votes of Kennedy’s supporters could determine the outcome in some crucial states.
Kennedy, the scion of America’s most famous political family, is an environmental lawyer and longtime vaccine skeptic whose campaign has struggled to gain traction among mainstream voters.
His campaign said on Wednesday that he would address the nation on Friday from the state of Arizona, where Trump is also scheduled to hold a campaign event that day.
“Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will address the nation live on Friday about the current historic moment and his path forward,” said a brief statement from RFK Jr.’s campaign.
The New York Times on Wednesday quoted three unnamed sources as saying Kennedy would end his campaign and likely endorse Trump.
CNN, citing two unnamed sources, reported that Kennedy may suspend his campaign on Friday.
AFP has contacted Kennedy’s campaign for comment on these reports.
In a podcast interview this week, Kennedy’s fellow candidate Nicole Shanahan hinted she might withdraw her name in favor of Trump.
The Republican candidate told CNN on Tuesday that he would “definitely be open to having Kennedy play a role in his administration” if he’s elected.
“He’s a wonderful man. He’s a very smart man,” Trump told CNN. “I’ve known him a very long time.
“I didn’t know he was thinking about coming out, but if he’s thinking about coming out, I’m definitely open to it.”
Kennedy, known for sometimes making bizarre announcements and often spreading dangerous health-related conspiracy theories, suffered a number of setbacks in his re-election campaign.
This month, a New York judge ruled that Kennedy had falsely claimed residency in the state, and he was barred from voting there.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
