Pro-Bitcoin RFK Jr Exits Presidential Race, Will He Join Donald Trump?

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an independent candidate who had garnered attention for his pro-Bitcoin stance and reformist agenda, has filed paperwork to withdraw from the presidential race in Arizona. It has led to speculations of Kennedy joining Donald Trump’s team.

The latest move was confirmed by a spokesman for the Arizona secretary of state’s office late Thursday night. Moreover, it comes just one day before RFK Jr. is set to deliver a pivotal address in Arizona about the future of his campaign.

RFK Jr. Quits Presidential Race

For context, Kennedy’s campaign began as a challenge to President Joe Biden within the Democratic Party. However, it later evolved into an independent bid that posed a unique threat to both major parties. His platform focused on issues such as combatting the chronic disease epidemic, halting what he termed the “war machine,” and pushing for environmental reforms.

Furthermore, his outspoken support for Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies also attracted a significant following. This particularly concerned “crypto voters” disillusioned with the existing financial system and government regulation. However, RFK Jr’s campaign faced numerous challenges, including legal battles over ballot access and dwindling financial resources.

Just last week, he had submitted 118,000 signatures to qualify for the Arizona ballot, more than double the required amount. Despite this effort, Kennedy has decided to withdraw from the race, possibly signaling a strategic shift. It hints at endorsement of Donald Trump.

Aaron Thacker, the spokesman for the Arizona secretary of state’s office, confirmed that Kennedy’s name had been verified to appear on the ballot earlier this week. “He only needed about 42,000 [signatures], and he got over 118,000,” Thacker noted, according to The New York Times.

However, the signatures collected could pose legal risks, as they were gathered by a super PAC backing RFK Jr. rather than the campaign itself. This could have led to legal complaints due to potential violations of federal law, which limits coordination between campaigns and outside organizations.

Kennedy To Join Donald Trump?

Kennedy’s withdrawal from the race has sparked intense speculation about his next steps. This particularly concerns whether he might endorse former President Donald Trump. Rumors have swirled for weeks about discussions between the two camps.

Moreover, Trump’s campaign further fueled these speculations by announcing a “special guest” at Trump’s rally in Glendale, Arizona, scheduled for Friday. While an endorsement from RFK Jr. has not been confirmed, the speculations remain rampant.

In an interview on the Impact Theory podcast, his running mate, Nicole Shanahan, outlined two possible scenarios for the campaign. One option was to continue in the race, aiming to secure more than 5% of the popular vote to lay the groundwork for a third party in future elections.

The other was to withdraw and potentially endorse Donald Trump. Shanahan believes the Republican candidate has a better shot at defeating the Democratic ticket of Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. “I did not invest tens of millions of dollars to be a spoiler candidate,” Shanahan stated. The campaign’s initial goal was victory, with a focus on advancing pro-crypto and other reformist agendas.

RFK Jr’s Stays Silent On Trump Collaboration

Hence, Kennedy’s stance on crypto has raised hopes of a possible collaboration with Trump, especially among crypto voters. However, RFK Jr. himself has not directly addressed the possibility of endorsing Trump. Nonetheless, his recent statements have left the door open for collaboration with other political leaders.

In a tweet, Kennedy expressed his willingness to engage with leaders from any political party “to advance the goals that I have worked towards for 40 years in my career and in this campaign.” If Kennedy were to align with Trump, it could energize the crypto voters. However, earlier RFK Jr’s VP pick faced backlash from Trump supporters, complicating the odds of such a collaboration.