Kennedy family feel ‘betrayed’ by RFK Jr’s Trump endorsement but some are ‘not surprised’_l
The Kennedy family released a joint statement in response to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s decision to drop out of the race and endorse Donald Trump.
On Friday afternoon, RFK Jr. dropped out of the race and endorsed Donald Trump (Image: Getty)
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced Friday afternoon that he is suspending his bid for the 2024 presidential election and backing Donald Trump – and his family is not happy about it.
Kerry Kennedy, his younger sister, released a statement on behalf of several members of their political family dynasty, expressing their disappointment in the former third-party candidate who has lately found himself immersed in several bizarre scandals.
The statement reads: “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,” it said. “We believe in Harris and Walz.”
It went on to call the decision to endorse Trump a “betrayal” of their family “values,” concluding: “It is a sad ending to a sad story.”
The statement was signed by Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, Courtney Kennedy, Chris Kennedy and Rory Kennedy as well as Kerry Kennedy.
Although, the day prior to the third party candidate’s announcement, his 31-year-old cousin Jack Scholssberg said he would “not be surprised” if he went on to endorse Trump as he was rumored to after the Democratic National Convention coalesced.
“I can’t predict the future but what I will say is I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s working for President Trump at some point or in the past,” the newly-tapped political correspondent for Vogue told NBC News at the Chicago Convention on Thursday.
He added: “I think it’s clear that their interests align.”
Kennedy, 70, made the announcement ahead of a Trump rally in Arizona, a day after he withdrew his name from the state’s presidential ballot.
RFK Jr.’s cousin Jack Schlossberg, a new Vogue political correspondent, said he would “not be surprised” if he endorsed Trump (Image: Getty)
The son of former Democratic politician Robert F. Kennedy launched his campaign as a Democrat last year before registering as an Independent candidate in October 2023.
The campaign appeared to be losing money and struggled to break polling numbers in the double digits.
Reports surfaced prior to the official announcement that RFK Jr. was negotiating with the Trump campaign to secure a position in a potential second Trump administration.
Some political strategists are worried about how the endorsement will impact the Harris-Walz campaign, although others think it is an obstacle the Democrats can overcome.
