PHOENIX – Robert F. Kennedy Jr. shocked the political world on Friday by suspending his independent campaign for the White House and endorsing former President Donald Trump. This late-stage twist in the race could potentially give Trump a modest boost from Kennedy’s supporters.

Shortly after his announcement, Kennedy joined Trump onstage at a rally in Arizona, where the crowd erupted into cheers of “Bobby!”

Kennedy explained that his internal polls indicated his presence in the race would likely hurt Trump and benefit Democratic nominee Kamala Harris. He cited issues such as free speech, the war in Ukraine, and concerns about children’s welfare as reasons for his decision to withdraw his name from the ballot in battleground states.

“These are the principal causes that persuaded me to leave the Democratic Party and run as an independent, and now to throw my support to President Trump,” Kennedy stated during his event in Phoenix.

While Kennedy stopped short of formally ending his bid, he encouraged his supporters to continue backing him in states where their votes are unlikely to sway the outcome. He took steps to withdraw his candidacy in Arizona and Pennsylvania, but faced challenges in battleground states like Michigan, Nevada, and Wisconsin.

Throughout the day, Kennedy emphasized conversations with Trump over the past few weeks, describing their partnership as a “unity party,” allowing them to publicly and privately disagree while addressing critical issues.

“We are both in this to do what’s right for the country,” Trump said during the event, praising Kennedy for raising important issues that have been overlooked.

The unexpected endorsement drew mixed reactions from Kennedy’s family and supporters. Some family members expressed disappointment in his decision, while others, like supporter Casey Westerman, pledged to follow Kennedy’s judgment and shift their support to Trump.

The announcement concluded days of speculation, confusion, and contradictions, characterizing the unpredictable nature of Kennedy’s campaign. Despite the challenges, Kennedy’s decision to align with Trump underscores the changing dynamics of American politics.

As the presidential race continues to unfold, the impact of Kennedy’s endorsement on the overall outcome remains uncertain. Recent polls suggest a single-digit level of support for Kennedy, with potential repercussions for both major-party candidates.