GLENDALE, Ariz.—Former President Donald Trump introduced Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the “special guest” at a rally in Glendale, Arizona, just hours after Kennedy suspended his presidential campaign.
Kennedy, 70, a former Democrat, withdrew his candidacy as an independent candidate on Aug. 23 amid sagging polls and backed Republican nominee Trump in the 2024 election.
During the rally, Trump hailed Kennedy as a “great guy” who is “respected by everybody,” and said he wants Kennedy to be a part of his administration if he wins the election in November.
The rally in Glendale started at 4 p.m. local time and lasted for more than an hour.
A crowd of Trump supporters filled the Wicked Wolf bar near the arena and watched the 45th president criticize Democrat presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris on wide-screen televisions.
“I love it. I’m so ready for it. I was really hoping that this was going to happen,” Edith Verjarcruz of Arizona said regarding Kennedy’s dropping out of the race.
She said Kennedy’s support of Trump is a win-win for his campaign.
Trump supporter Miguel Bravo of Glendale said he viewed Kennedy as an old-style Democrat who could no longer fit in with the party establishment based on principle.
“That’s what this is—the Old School,” Bravo told The Epoch Times.
Amman Catalan of Surprise, Arizona, said he could see no conflicts with Kennedy serving as a former Democrat in a second Trump administration. He said both men believe in doing “what’s best for America.”
However, Joe O’Shaughnessy of Arizona said Kennedy’s withdrawal from the race would direct votes to Harris.
“I preferred that he stayed in [the race],” O’Shaughnessy told The Epoch Times.
“I know a lot of Democrats, and they all were going to vote for RFK. I think, in all reality, it gave Kamala a boost.”
Leno Marin of Phoenix, who supports Trump, said Kennedy should be praised for his work with the Children’s Defense Fund and his opposition to COVID-19 injections.
“We’re a sickly lot. I think we’re sick in this country,” Marin told The Epoch Times. “I think that topic alone is going to resonate with a lot of people—the health issue.”
Marin said he hopes that if Trump returns to the White House, his first order of business will be to secure the border.
“I think that’s going to be his first priority. His second priority is going to be getting to work on the economy, inflation, and stuff.”
“There’s a lot of work to do. I think he’s the man for it. You can’t deny he’s got heart. He loves this country,” he said.
Arizona resident Bobby Favino said that Kennedy’s leaving the race and supporting Trump will definitely help the former president.
“RFK knew he wasn’t going to win as an independent. It’s just going to break up the vote. He did the right thing,” Favino told The Epoch Times.
“I don’t know about having him a member of his cabinet. But I think he did the right thing. He should have done it a long time ago.”
Favino, 24, who described himself as a big Trump supporter since the 2016 election, thinks that Trump can win in November with Kennedy’s help.
“And if he doesn’t, we’re [in trouble],” Favino said.
Tina Morales of Florence, Arizona, stood outside the arena waving a big, blue Trump flag.
Morales was confident that the 2024 election would not be like the 2020 election, which saw widespread allegations of election fraud.
“God put the right person in place. I believe that with all my heart.”
Morales expressed concern for Harris and her proposed economic measures, including the introduction of price controls at grocery stores.
“Is she talking about that? No. So that, for me, says a lot. Especially where we live,” Morales said.
After the rally, Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) told The Epoch Times that Kennedy’s endorsement of Trump can only help him win the election.
