Some of RFK Jr.’s Loyal Fans Are Embracing Trump

By Stephanie Kelly and Jarrett Renshaw

PHILADELPHIA – Supporters of former independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who recently halted his White House campaign and endorsed Donald Trump, are now shifting their allegiance to the Republican candidate.

In a competitive race, where results in critical states such as Pennsylvania and Michigan are anticipated to be closely contested, Trump and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris are vying for a small group of undecided voters. Kennedy’s endorsement could play a crucial role, as he exited the race in late August with approximately 4% support.

Since becoming the Democratic candidate in late July, Harris has gained traction in the polls and currently leads in the latest national poll. However, recent surveys indicate that Trump may have attracted more of Kennedy’s supporters than Harris.

Both Kennedy’s representatives and the Harris campaign have not provided comments regarding these developments.

Following Kennedy’s withdrawal from the race, a Reuters interview with 11 of his supporters—five from key battleground states—revealed that six plan to vote for Trump, while one is leaning towards him. One supporter indicated they would vote for Trump if Kennedy is absent from their state ballot, while another is weighing their options between Trump and the Green Party’s Jill Stein. Only one supporter expressed intent to vote for Harris.

Matthew McCloskey, a 26-year-old wellness adviser from Holland, Michigan, shifted his support from Stein in 2016 and Andrew Yang in 2020 to Trump after initially backing Kennedy. He expressed frustration with what he perceives as a lack of inclusivity by the Democratic Party, which he claims has marginalized anti-war and anti-corruption voices.

McCloskey noted that Trump’s decision to include Kennedy in his transition team signals a commitment to tackling the corporate influence on government agencies.

While the Reuters survey isn’t statistically robust, broader polling indicates Trump may have an edge in appealing to Kennedy’s backers in tight races. For instance, in Michigan, Trump’s endorsement of Kennedy resulted in a 2%-3% increase in his support, giving him a slight lead over Harris in the state.

In Wisconsin, a recent poll showed that two-thirds of potential Kennedy voters backed Trump in a two-person matchup against Harris. Analysts noted that Trump shares an anti-establishment appeal that resonates with Kennedy’s supporters.

Democrats, however, believe that Kennedy’s endorsement will have minimal impact by Election Day, given his relatively low level of support prior to his withdrawal.

Many Kennedy supporters expressed dissatisfaction with the Democratic Party, alleging unfair practices aimed at blocking Kennedy from appearing on ballots in multiple states. One supporter, Kevin Nally, a 68-year-old retired systems administrator from Rochester, New York, accused the party of exercising censorship against Kennedy.

Nally indicated that he would vote for Trump if Kennedy’s name does not appear on the ballot.

One Kennedy supporter, Sanjay Paul, a 48-year-old online instructor from Virginia, plans to vote for Harris, highlighting the importance of addressing issues such as abortion and equal pay in the current political discourse.

Kennedy, 70, who is known for his controversial views on vaccines, is reportedly seeking a role within a potential Trump administration following his endorsement.

Kennedy, a member of a prominent political family, initially entered the race as a Democrat but later switched to an independent candidacy when it became evident that he would not secure the party’s nomination.

In response to these developments, the Trump campaign stated that they are “building the largest, most diverse political movement in history.”