Trump vows to release JFK assassination files after Robert F. Kennedy Jr backs him for president
Donald Trump has said he will release all documents on John F. Kennedy’s assassination if elected after the late president's nephew "suspended" his independent presidential bid.
On Friday, Robert F. Kennedy Jr announced he was now backing Trump as his family called the move a "betrayal" of their values.
He said his internal polls indicated that his candidacy would harm Trump and benefit Democratic nominee Kamala Harris.
However, recent public polls don’t provide a clear indication that he is having a significant impact on support for either major-party candidate.
Hours after his announcement, Kennedy joined Trump onstage at an Arizona rally, where the crowd burst into “Bobby!” cheers.
Kennedy cited free speech, the war in Ukraine, and “a war on our children” as reasons for seeking to remove his name from the ballot from ten key battleground states in the US election.
“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 said.
However, he will still appear on the ballot in most states where he is unlikely to affect the outcome in favour of Kamala Harris.
Kennedy took steps to withdraw his candidacy in at least two states late this week, Arizona and Pennsylvania, but election officials in the battlegrounds of Michigan, Nevada and Wisconsin said it would be too late for him to take his name off the ballot even if he wants to do so.
The Covid conspiracy theorist said: "I am not terminating my campaign I am simply suspending it and not ending it. My name will remain on the ballot in most states."
"In my heart, I no longer believe that I have a realistic path of electoral victory in the face of this relentless, systematic censorship and media control."
He added that Trump asked to “enlist him in his administration” and suggested "we join forces as a unity party".
Trump thanked Kennedy for his "very nice endorsement" and announced plans to travel to Arizona, where Robert is expected to be.
“I want to thank Bobby, that was very nice. He’s a great guy, respected by everybody.” Trump said.
Kennedy later joined Trump onstage at a rally co-hosted by Turning Point Action in Glendale, where Trump’s campaign had teased he would be joined by “a special guest".
Kennedy was greeted by thundering applause as he took the stage to the Foo Fighters and a pyrotechnics display after being introduced by Trump as “a man who has been an incredible champion for so many of these values that we all share".
With Kennedy standing nearby, Trump invoked his slain uncle and father, John F. Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy, saying he knows “that they are looking down right now and they are very, very proud".
He said that, if he wins the election on November 5, he will establish a new independent presidential commission on assassination attempts that will release all remaining documents related to John F. Kennedy’s assassination.
And he repeated his pledge to establish a panel — “working with Bobby” — to investigate the increase in chronic health conditions and childhood diseases, including autoimmune disorders, autism, obesity and infertility.
A year ago, some would have thought it inconceivable that a member of arguably the most storied family in Democratic politics would work with Trump to keep a Democrat out of the White House.
Even in recent months, Kennedy has accused Trump of betraying his followers, while Trump has criticized Kennedy as “the most radical left candidate in the race.”
Soon after the announcement, Kennedy's siblings condemned his decision to support Trump in a statement on Friday, calling it a "betrayal of the values that our father and family hold most dear".
They reaffirmed their support for Vice President Harris and her running mate, Governor Tim Walz.
"Our brother Bobby’s decision to endorse Trump today is a betrayal of the values that our father and family hold most dear. It is a sad ending to a sad story," the statement read.
"We want an America filled with hope and bound together by a shared vision of a brighter future, a future defined by individual freedom, economic promise and national pride. We believe in Harris and Walz."
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