Well, it seems the media trolls are at it again, downplaying the significance of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s endorsement of Donald Trump. It’s almost as if they haven’t learned anything from 2016, when Trump shocked the political world and proved them all wrong. But here we are, with the same smug commentators insisting that RFK Jr.’s support for Trump won’t move the needle. Sounds a lot like déjà vu, doesn’t it?

The media, in its infinite wisdom, warns that while Kennedy’s endorsement might help Trump in swing states, the cost could be too high if it means bringing Kennedy into a second Trump administration. Their advice? Trump should just thank RFK Jr., make no promises, and steer clear of any joint appearances to avoid being associated with Kennedy’s so-called fringe views. Well, wasn’t that helpful? Apparently, the media thinks they can dictate Trump’s strategy better than he can himself.

Over at ABC News, their 538 polling site is trying to reassure everyone that Kennedy’s endorsement will have a minimal impact. According to their analysis, Kennedy, who’s been polling around 5 percent since Kamala Harris became the presumptive Democratic nominee, was pulling support equally from both Trump and Harris. So, in their expert opinion, Kennedy’s departure from the race won’t make much difference for either candidate. Sure, because 2016 taught us that polls are always right, right?

Then there’s The New York Times, ever the voice of cautious conventional wisdom. They claim that Kennedy’s endorsement won’t change the nature of the race because, well, his supporters aren’t the most reliable voters. The Times suggests that since many of them didn’t vote in 2020, they’re unlikely to show up in November either. That’s quite the assumption, considering how wrong the establishment was about voter turnout in 2016.

What these talking heads fail to recognize is the same thing they missed eight years ago: the power of the disaffected, the voters who have been ignored, dismissed, and underestimated by the political elite. These are the people who came out in droves for Trump in 2016, defying all expectations and handing him a victory that no one in the establishment saw coming. And guess what? They’re still out there, angrier and more determined than ever.

Kennedy’s supporters, despite being marginalized by the media and the major party establishments, are far more numerous than the measly 5 percent reflected in recent polls. Before he was shut out of the presidential debates, Kennedy was polling close to 25 percent, especially among younger voters. Remember Ross Perot in 1992? He managed to win 19 percent of the vote, largely due to his debate performances. But without a platform, Kennedy’s support was always going to fade, just as it did for Perot. The media made sure of that.

Here’s the reality: Kennedy’s coalition of anti-war advocates, medical freedom fighters, and free speech champions weren’t exactly thrilled about the major party options. If RFK Jr. had just bowed out, many of these voters would have stayed home. But now, with Kennedy not only endorsing Trump but signaling that he could play a role in shaping policy in a second Trump administration, his supporters have a reason to vote. They might not love Trump, but they’re certainly not voting for Kamala Harris and her cronies. And if RFK Jr. is making the case that a Harris-Walz administration would be a disaster, you can bet his supporters will show up to vote, even if they’re too shy to admit it to pollsters.

This group of voters, those opposed to the military-industrial complex, those worried about the nation’s health crisis, those outraged by the ongoing assault on free speech — is informed, motivated, and fed up with the status quo. They’ve felt powerless for too long, and now, thanks to Kennedy’s endorsement, they have a glimmer of hope that their issues might finally get the attention they deserve.

Some pollsters had the humility to admit after their colossal miss in 2016 that they weren’t picking up on the hidden voters, the anti-establishment types who saw Trump as their chance to stick it to the elite. These voters, many of whom were disillusioned by Trump’s first term, are being reactivated by Kennedy’s endorsement. And once again, the pundits are underestimating them.

So, while the media continues to play it safe with their “minimal impact” predictions, those of us paying attention know better. We’ve seen this movie before, and we know how it ends. RFK Jr.’s endorsement is more than just a footnote in this race; it’s a potential game-changer that could defy the polls and reshape the political landscape — just like 2016.