Robert F Kennedy Jr has said he is suspending his independent run for the US presidency and will “throw my support” to Donald Trump.
Mr Kennedy, 70, a Democrat for most of his life and the scion of the powerful Kennedy dynasty said: “In my heart I no longer believe I have a realistic path to victory in the face of systematic censorship”.
He said that the principles that had led him to leave the Democratic party had now compelled him “to throw my support to President Trump”.
He insisted he would not drop out, and would keep his name on the ballot in the states where it will not affect the race.
The decision effectively brings to an end a campaign fuelled by Mr Kennedy’s anti-vax views, and coloured by stories of dead bears and brain worms. His polling has slumped from a high of double figures as funds and national coverage dried up.
Mr Kennedy said that Trump’s insistence he could end the war in Ukraine by negotiating with Russia “alone would justify my support for his campaign”.
He added that polling indicated that staying on the ballot in battleground states would “likely hand the election over to the Democrats”.
He said he would remove his name from 10 states where his presence would be a “spoiler” to Trump’s effort.
“If you live in a blue state, you can vote for me without harming or helping President Trump or Vice-President Harris and red states, the same will apply,” he said. “I encourage you to vote for me, and if enough of you do vote for me and neither of the major party candidates win 270 votes, which is quite possible.”
Before working to elect Trump, Mr Kennedy said he asked to have similar conversations with Ms Harris.
