Robert F. Kennedy Jr. captured 594,000 votes in the 2024 election, despite withdrawing his candidacy in August and endorsing President-elect Donald Trump. Appearing on ballots in 33 states, Kennedy secured 0.4% of the popular vote, reflecting the loyalty of his supporters even after his exit from the race.
Kennedy began his campaign as a Democrat before transitioning to an Independent bid. However, after stepping down in August, he directed his supporters to back Trump, stating that the former president was the best choice for advancing the issues central to his campaign. “You should be voting for Donald Trump,” Kennedy declared in a video released just days before the election.
600,000 people voted for RFK Jr after he literally told y’all not too and to vote for Trump 🤦🏻 pic.twitter.com/RSVWKjlUWn
— Bob (@BobsLessons) November 6, 2024
RFK JR. TO MICHIGAN: “When you go into that voting booth, you’re going to see my name on the ballot. I do not want you to Vote for me—If you wanna see me go to Washington, you better Vote for Donald Trump”
— ALX 🇺🇸 (@alx) November 2, 2024
Court rulings in battleground states like Wisconsin and Michigan denied Kennedy’s requests to have his name removed from the ballot, citing the challenges of early voting. By the time of his withdrawal, over 1.5 million absentee ballots had already been cast in Michigan, making changes impractical.
RFK Jr’s supporters and MAHA followed through on our commitment to vote for Trump and get him elected.
Now it’s time Trump follows through on his promise.
Let’s make America the healthiest country in the world again! pic.twitter.com/nvFYN3LkVB
— End Tribalism in Politics (@EndTribalism) November 6, 2024
Despite his endorsement of Trump, Kennedy continued to draw support in several states. Polls showed him garnering 3-5% of the vote in states like Michigan and Wisconsin, where voters expressed lingering loyalty to his platform. His name on the ballot created confusion for some voters but underscored his enduring appeal.
The 594,000 votes Kennedy received highlight the complexities of modern elections, where ballot logistics can result in unexpected outcomes. While Kennedy’s campaign had officially ended, his support from Independents and disaffected Democrats remained strong.
Kennedy’s role in the race extended beyond his candidacy, as his endorsement of Trump helped solidify support in key states. His influence highlights how personal loyalty and strategic endorsements can shape election dynamics, even in unconventional circumstances.
