Reports: RFK Jr. to exit race, back Trump by end of week

Independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. could exit the presidential race Friday and endorse GOP nominee Donald Trump, according to ABC News and NBC News citing anonymous sources.

Kennedy's departure would mean the end of a potential spoiler campaign and sets the contest decidedly between Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, and former President Trump.

The decision is reportedly not yet finalized, as those close to Kennedy tell USA TODAY they do not expect him to drop out.

Kennedy's campaign announced earlier Wednesday that he will make an address to the nation on Friday in Arizona, where he will talk about "the present historical moment and his path forward."

ABC News' Jonathan Karl said in a post on X that he asked Kennedy if he would endorse Trump. "I will not confirm or deny that," Kennedy said, according to Karl. "We are not talking about any of that."

Kennedy's running mate, Nicole Shanahan, said on Tuesday that he was considering ending his campaign to join forces with Trump.

What has Trump said about RFK Jr.?

Trump has changed his tune considerably on Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over time.

Trump told CNN Tuesday that he would "certainly be open" to Kennedy playing a role in his administration if the independent candidate drops out of the race and endorses him.

Trump called Kennedy “a brilliant guy" and "a very smart guy" ? a far cry from April, when he called him “far more liberal than anyone running as a Democrat," and feared that Kennedy's independent candidacy might cost him votes in the general election.

Kennedy met with Trump on the first morning of the Republican National Convention in July "to discuss national unity," according to a campaign statement at the time.

Amid speculation of a Kennedy exit, Trump told FOX Business Network that he has not spoken to Kennedy but would be "honored" to share the stage later this week in Glendale, Arizona."We have a big crowd," Trump told FOX Business Network's Grady Trimble on Wednesday. "I mean, if he endorsed me, would I be honored by that? Absolutely."

Doubts that Kennedy will drop

Larry Sharpe, outreach director for American Values said he thinks Kennedy will “probably say on Friday here is my plan to keep We The People party going and to be a part the next administration (without specifying which one). I think he’s going to say something like that.”

Sharpe said Kennedy has about “$15 million worth of ballot access and who wants to give that away? What in the hell do you do after you’ve spent all of this money? That’s the hardest part for (Kennedy).”

ABC News reported that sources cautioned against making too many predictions about Friday, noting that Kennedy's thoughts could change before then.

While helping at an RFK event Wednesday at a Chicago beach, Jeffrey Rose, of New York, a lifelong Democrat who has helped Kennedy raise funds and donations for the past 18 months, said he doubts Kennedy will leave the race. Rose, 60, said he’s scheduled to be with Kennedy in court in Albany to appeal his right to be on the New York state ballot.

“No, I don’t think so. I think his heart is still in it. Wouldn’t make sense to do it now, I think it’s a bit premature,” said Rose, who has known Kennedy for 30 years. “If there is a benefit to doing it, I don’t think the time is now.”

RFK Jr.'s campaign appears to be running out of money

Kennedy, 70, the son of late Democratic politician Robert F. Kennedy, started his presidential campaign as a Democrat, challenging President Joe Biden for the nomination.

He made the change to independent candidate in October 2023.

Kennedy's support stood at 4% in an Ipsos poll taken this month.

Kennedy's campaign appeared to be running out of money, according to Federal Election Commission filings published this week. At the end of last month, Kennedy's campaign owed close to $3.5 million and had only $3.9 million on hand.

Polls have shown that Kennedy’s campaign is pulling more support from voters who otherwise would back Trump, rather than would-be Harris voters.

Contributing: Reuters; David Jackson and Karissa Waddick, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Robert F Kennedy Jr. plans to end 2024 campaign, back Donald Trump