The Democratic National Committee (DNC) recently issued a memo dismissing the potential impact of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.‘s anticipated exit from the presidential race, suggesting that his candidacy has primarily served as a spoiler to benefit former President Trump.
Kennedy is expected to make an announcement today, with rumors circulating that he may suspend his campaign and endorse Trump. Trump has openly welcomed the idea, stating he would be “honored” by Kennedy’s support.
The DNC memo portrays Kennedy as a diminishing figure whose relevance has faded, arguing that Trump’s interest in securing his endorsement reflects a campaign operating from a position of desperation rather than strength. The memo criticizes Trump for aligning with Kennedy at a time when Kennedy’s influence is waning and his reputation has been tarnished by numerous controversies.
In a shift from the 2016 election, where third-party candidates were largely overlooked, the DNC has been actively working to define Kennedy’s role in this race. The memo points out that as voters have learned more about Kennedy’s controversial past, ties to MAGA donors, and extreme positions on issues like abortion and the January 6th pardons, his support has dwindled, reducing his threat to Vice President Harris to nearly nothing.
Kennedy’s remaining base of support is described as fragile and fragmented, with the memo suggesting that his exit from the race would likely not harm Harris but could instead damage Trump by association, especially given Kennedy’s divisive comments on topics like the Capitol riot, 9/11, and vaccines.
The DNC plans to continue scrutinizing other third-party candidates and emphasize the clear distinction between Harris and Trump in the upcoming election. While reports suggest Kennedy may endorse Trump soon, nothing has been officially confirmed. Trump, however, has indicated a willingness to offer Kennedy a role in his potential future administration.