A New York-based campaign official for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been promoting false claims about the 2020 election being rigged and attending “Stop the Steal” rallies, including the one on January 6, 2021, in Washington, DC, which preceded the deadly riot at the US Capitol. Rita Palma, the state director for the Kennedy campaign in New York, has publicly expressed her support for former President Donald Trump, even going as far as calling him her favorite president and expressing hope for his potential candidacy in 2024 and 2028, which is constitutionally not possible.
Palma posed for a photo with Sidney Powell, a pro-Trump attorney involved in election subversion cases, at Trump’s International Hotel in Washington, DC. Despite evidence of Trump’s involvement in inciting violence at the Capitol, Palma dismissed these claims and instead blamed the violence on the alleged election rigging. While Palma denied participating in any violent actions during the Capitol riot, her public support for Trump and attendance at pro-Trump rallies paint a picture of her alignment with the “Stop the Steal” movement and belief in baseless election fraud claims.
Palma’s public activities and social media posts have garnered attention due to her ongoing support for Trump and the promotion of conspiracy theories surrounding the 2020 election. She has repeatedly used hashtags like #BidenCheated and supported Trump’s efforts to challenge the election results. Her views and actions reflect a segment of support for Kennedy from Trump supporters, who see Kennedy’s candidacy as a way to help Trump return to the White House in 2024. This support includes significant donations from individuals who are also major donors to Trump.
Despite the connection between Palma’s actions and the Kennedy campaign, the campaign has since distanced itself from her statements. Amaryllis Fox, Kennedy’s campaign director, clarified that Palma was hired as a ballot-access consultant and does not shape the campaign’s electoral strategy. While Palma has not responded to requests for comment, her social media posts demonstrate her active involvement in pro-Trump rallies, including the “Stop the Steal” events, where she expressed her unwavering support for Trump and belief in unfounded conspiracy theories about the election.
Palma’s public support for Trump and involvement in the “Stop the Steal” movement underscore the broader division and misinformation surrounding the 2020 election results. Despite efforts to distance her actions from the Kennedy campaign, Palma’s vocal support for Trump and alignment with conspiracy theories have raised concerns about her impact on the campaign’s reputation. Additionally, her public comments and attendance at pro-Trump rallies highlight the continued influence of false narratives and extremist beliefs in American politics. The scrutiny of Palma’s actions serves as a reminder of the importance of accountability and truth in political discourse.
