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 Trump as the Republican nominee in the 2024 election.
During the rally, Trump hailed Kennedy as a “great guy” who is “respected by everybody,” and wants him to be a part of his administration if he wins the election in November.
The rally started at 4 p.m. in Glendale and lasted more than an hour.
A crowd of Trump supporters filled the Wicked Wolf bar near the arena and watched the 45th president criticize his Democrat presidential nominee Kamala Harris on widescreen televisions.
“I love it. I’m so ready for it. I was really hoping that this was going to happen,” said Edith Verjarcruz of Arizona regarding Kennedy 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 alotof Democratsand they all were going to vote for RFK.I think,in all reality,it gave Kamala aboost.”
Leno Marin from Phoenix,supportsTrump,saidKennedy should be praisedforhisworkwiththeChildren’sDefenseFundandhisoppositiontoCOVID-19injections.
“We’reasicklylot.Ithinkwe’resickinthiscountry,”MarintoldTheEpochTimes.”Ithinkthattopicaloneisgoingtoresonatewithalotofpeople-thehealthissue.”
MarinsaidhehopesthatifTrumpreturnstotheWhiteHouse,hisfirstorderofbusinesswillbetosecuretheborder.
“Ithinkthat’sgoingtobehisfirstpriority.Hissecondpriorityisgoingtobetogettingtoworkontheeconomy,inflation,andstuff.”
“There’salotofworktodo.Ithinkhe’sthemanforit.Youcan’tdenyhe’gotheart.Helovesthiscountry,”hesaid.
Bobby Favino from ArizonasaidthatKennedyleavingtheraceandsupportingTrumpwilldefinitelyhelptheformerpresident.
“RFKknewhewasn’tgoingtowinasanIndependent.Itjustgoingtobreakupthevote.Hedidthe rightthing,Favino told The Epoch Times.”
Idon’tknowabouthavinghimamemberofhiscabinet.ButIthinkhedidtherightthing.He should havedoneitalongtimeago.”
Favino24whohasbeenabigTrumpsupportersincethe2016election thinksthatTrum canwininNovemberwithKennedyshelp
“Andifhedoesn’t,were[introuble],”Favinosaid.
Tina MoralesfromFlorenceArizonastoodoutsidethearenawavingabigblueTrumpflag
Moraleswasconfidentthat2024electionwouldnotbelikethe2020electionwhichsawwidespreadallegations-of-electionfraud
“Therearetoomanyeyeswatchingnow.IthinkTrumphasitonhisside now,MoralestoldTheEpochTimes.”
“Godputtherightpersoninplace.Ibelievethatwithallmyheart.”
MoralesexpressedconcernforHarrisandherproposedeconomicmeasuresincludingintroduction-ofpricecontrolsatgrocerystores
“Iwantmymilkbackdownto$1.99.Wepaid$2:30inFlorenceforgasbeforethisadministration,Moralessaids”
Is she talking about that? No.So thatforme,says alot.Especiallywherewelive”,shesaid.
AftertherallyRep.PaulGosar(R-Ariz.) told TheEpochTimesthatKennedy’sendorsementofTrum canonlyhelphimwin theelection