Following Kennedy's endorsement of Trump, the two indicate a newly formed alliance.

 One of the most notable days in Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s independent presidential campaign turned out to be its last.

After months of being largely overlooked, Kennedy suspended his long-shot bid on Friday and endorsed former President Donald Trump in a speech in Phoenix, which was broadcast live by several networks. He then made his way across town to address a crowd of 17,000 at a Trump rally in Glendale, Arizona, marking the largest audience he had drawn since launching his third-party run last year.

As he shook hands with Trump amidst a backdrop of fireworks, Kennedy momentarily became the center of attention, presenting himself as a fresh addition to the Trump campaign. However, the actual impact of Kennedy's endorsement on the 2024 election remains uncertain.

Positioning his third-party campaign as a movement for outsiders and a refreshing alternative for voters tired of partisan politics, Kennedy initially garnered significant support—over 20 percent in some early polls—particularly among Hispanic voters. Many expressed frustration with the lack of options between the two widely disliked candidates: Trump and President Biden.

Recently, however, Kennedy's polling numbers had been declining, further exacerbated by Vice President Kamala Harris emerging as the Democratic nominee, which drew some disillusioned Democrats back to the party. Even those who remained loyal to Kennedy appeared less likely to commit to voting in November, and polls offered inconsistent insights into whether his supporters favored Harris or Trump.

Despite this, Trump and his allies celebrated Kennedy's endorsement, highlighting that a member of one of America's most prominent Democratic families had backed a Republican, even if many of Kennedy's relatives have publicly opposed both him and his endorsement of Trump. Reflecting on the summer's bizarre political landscape, Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA—who helped organize the rally—remarked, "Perhaps the most remarkable story of all: A Kennedy has endorsed a Republican."