[Source: Reuters]

Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. plans to drop out of the race by the end of the week and endorse Republican former President Donald Trump, ABC News reported on Wednesday, citing unnamed sources.

Kennedy’s campaign announced earlier in the day that he would make an address to the nation on Friday in Arizona, where he will talk about “the present historical moment and his path forward.”

Kennedy’s running mate, Nicole Shanahan, said on Tuesday that he was considering ending his campaign to join forces with Trump, who is the Republican nominee for president.

Trump told CNN he would “certainly be open” to Kennedy playing a role in his administration if the independent candidate dropped out of the race and endorsed him.

Kennedy, 70, the son of late Democratic politician Robert F. Kennedy and nephew of the late President John F. Kennedy, started his presidential campaign as a Democrat, challenging President Joe Biden for the nomination.

An environmental advocate who has spread vaccine misinformation, Kennedy has yet to qualify for the ballot in many states.

Kennedy’s support stood at 4% in an Ipsos poll taken this month, down from 10% the month before.