GLENDALE, Ariz. – Former independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made his first appearance at a rally for former President Donald Trump Friday hours after ending his campaign and endorsing the Republican nominee.
Trump, 78, described the 70-year-old scion of the Kennedy political dynasty as an “incredible champion” for American values and a “highly respected” and “great person” before bringing him out as a surprise guest at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Ariz.
“Bobby! Bobby! Bobby!” Trump supporters in the packed arena chanted as he walked out on stage.
“For the past 16 months, Bobby has run an extraordinary campaign,” Trump said. “I know because he went after me a couple of times — I didn’t like it.”
“His candidacy has inspired millions and millions of Americans, raised critical issues that have been too long ignored in this country and brought together people from across the political spectrum in a positive campaign grounded in the American values of his father, Robert Kennedy, a great man, and his uncle, President John F Kennedy,” the former president continued.
“And I know that they are looking down right now, and they are very, very proud of Bobby. I’m proud of Bobby.”
Kennedy explained that in his initial conversations with Trump – after the July 13 assassination attempt in Butler, Pa., — the two discussed “not the things that separate us, because we don’t agree on everything, but on the values and the issues” they share.
“One of the issues that he talked about was having safe food and ending the chronic disease epidemic,” the Democrat-turned-independent said.
“Don’t you want healthy children? And don’t you want the chemicals out of our food? And don’t you want the regulatory agencies to be free from corporate corruption? And that’s what President Trump told me that he wanted,” Kennedy revealed.
“Don’t you want a president that’s going to make America healthy again?” he asked the raucous crowd.
Kennedy also touted Trump’s vows to keep the US out of foreign wars, end censorship and protect “America’s freedoms” from “totalitarianism.”
After Kennedy’s brief remarks, Trump predicted that his former rival would have a “huge influence” on his campaign — “much bigger than you’d see in the polls.”
“Bobby and I will fight together to defeat the corrupt political establishment and return control of this country to the people. And all who supported Bobby’s campaign, I very simply ask you join us in building this coalition,” Trump said.
