Washington, D.C.: It is anticipated that independent presidential candidate, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., will conclude his campaign activities on Friday at an event in Arizona, as reported by CNN, based on information from two sources intimately acquainted with the matter.
Furthermore, Kennedy is engaged in discussions with the team of Republican presidential nominee, Donald Trump, regarding the possibility of an independent candidate endorsing Trump and participating in his rally in the Phoenix area.
Earlier this week, Kennedy's campaign announced its intention to deliver a speech in Phoenix on Friday morning, marking the Kennedy campaign's inaugural public event since early July.
This development comes shortly after his running mate, Nicole Shanahan, mentioned in a podcast interview that there are considerations within the campaign regarding a potential collaboration with Trump to mitigate the "risk" of Vice President Kamala Harris securing the presidency, as reported by CNN.
The Republican nominee has expressed a willingness to consider Kennedy's involvement in a future administration should he decide to withdraw from the race and offer his endorsement.
"He is an exceptional individual, possessing considerable intelligence. I have known him for an extended period," said Donald Trump. "I was unaware of his contemplation to step down, but should he choose to do so, I would be open to the idea."
Conversations between Trump's allies and advisors, and Kennedy's team began in the weeks leading up to the Republican National Convention in July, in the aftermath of a leaked phone conversation between the former president and Kennedy in the same month, as reported by CNN.
It is noteworthy that the relationship between Kennedy and Trump has warmed in recent months following their initial confrontations during the campaign.
Kennedy, who is a vocal critic of Trump's management of the Covid-19 pandemic and his approach to Operation Warp Speed, the initiative aimed at expediting the production of Covid-19 vaccines, has frequently criticized Trump for these actions. Trump has previously referred to Kennedy as a member of the "radical left" and criticized his environmental advocacy.
However, in July, Trump and Kennedy engaged in a conversation, days after the latter was shot in an assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. Following this call, Kennedy and Trump met in person in Milwaukee on the first day of the Republican National Convention.
Kennedy has faced challenges in gaining support since Kamala Harris ascended to the top of the Democratic ticket. A poll conducted by the Washington Post, ABC News, and Ipsos earlier this month revealed that Harris was at 47 percent in the polls, Trump at 44 percent, and Kennedy at a mere 5 percent.
The campaign is rapidly depleting its financial resources as it endeavors to secure ballot access nationwide. Financial disclosures from July reveal that Kennedy's campaign currently possesses a mere $3.9 million in cash on hand, with outstanding debts amounting to nearly $3.5 million.
The emergence of an independent campaign has sparked concerns among both Democrats and Republicans regarding Kennedy's potential influence on the presidential election. This is particularly significant given the narrow victory margins in a select number of battleground states, which could ultimately decide the outcome of the race.
While it is uncertain whether Kennedy has garnered more support from individuals who voted for President Joe Biden or Donald Trump in the previous election, the Kennedy campaign has indicated in recent statements their belief in attracting a larger following from individuals who supported Trump in the past.
