Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Suspends Presidential Campaign and Endorses Donald Trump

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Suspends Presidential Campaign, Endorses Donald Trump

In a surprising turn of events, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the suspension of his presidential campaign and subsequently endorsed former President Donald J. Trump. This development was met with mixed reactions across the political landscape, with conservative outlets celebrating the potential advantages for Mr. Trump, while liberal media outlets offered a more critical perspective, highlighting the struggles and irregularities of Mr. Kennedy’s campaign.

On Friday, Mr. Kennedy declared that he would cease campaigning in key battleground states, although he plans to remain on the ballot in certain areas. He expressed concerns that his candidacy might siphon votes from other candidates, although recent polling has not clearly indicated who stands to gain from his withdrawal.

Conservative media, with more than a dozen outlets prominently displaying the news, perceived Mr. Kennedy’s decision as a significant win for Mr. Trump. Commentators argued that this shift could potentially convert Mr. Kennedy’s supporters into Trump backers, thereby redirecting public attention away from the Democratic National Convention occurring this week.

In contrast, liberal media outlets characterized Mr. Kennedy’s choice as self-serving and indicative of his erratic campaign style. Several articles referenced his claim that Mr. Trump had offered him a position in a potential second Trump administration, a statement that the former president did not confirm on Friday. Such coverage frequently included descriptors like “power-hungry” and “transactional” to depict Mr. Kennedy’s motives.

Here’s a summary of how various outlets reported on this pivotal moment:

FROM THE RIGHT

• The Washington Examiner

According to the Washington Examiner, while polling indicates that Mr. Kennedy’s decision may not drastically alter the dynamics of the race between Vice President Kamala Harris and Mr. Trump, many conservative analysts believe it could be a game-changer. Ben Shapiro, editor-in-chief of The Daily Wire, commented during a livestream that the announcement, delivered in a speech in Phoenix, could potentially “dwarf” any positive momentum generated by the Democratic National Convention for Ms. Harris.