A New York-based campaign official for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has raised the possibility that voting for the independent presidential candidate could help Donald Trump defeat President Joe Biden. This official promoted false claims about the 2020 election being rigged and attended “Stop the Steal” rallies, including the rally on January 6, 2021, in Washington, DC, which preceded the deadly riot at the US Capitol. Rita Palma, the Kennedy campaign’s state director in New York, had tweeted support for Trump and was photographed with pro-Trump attorney Sidney Powell.
Palma tweeted her support for Trump as a presidential candidate in 2024 and wondered if he could run for a third term in 2028, despite constitutional limitations on presidential terms. She dismissed accusations that Trump was to blame for the violence at the Capitol on January 6, attributing it instead to the rigged election. While Palma insists that January 6 was mostly peaceful and respectful, there is no indication that she was involved in any violence at the Capitol that day.
Palma’s social media posts, which included the hashtag #BidenCheated multiple times, reflect her belief in the baseless claims of election fraud put forth by Trump supporters. Her attendance at “Stop the Steal” events after the 2020 election suggests her alignment with the views of Trump supporters who hope to see him return to the White House in 2024. Kennedy’s super PAC has a major donor who is also a major donor to Trump, indicating overlap between their supporters.
In a video circulated to New York state Republicans, Palma indicated that having Kennedy on the ballot in New York would help “get rid of Biden,” citing it as her top priority. The Kennedy campaign has since distanced itself from Palma, stating that she was hired as a ballot-access consultant and does not shape electoral strategy. Despite the campaign’s efforts to distance itself from Palma, her social media posts indicate her strong support for Trump and involvement in events supporting his baseless claims of election fraud.
Palma’s social media activity shows her repeated attendance at pro-Trump rallies and events, as well as her expressed affinity for Trump’s legal representative Sidney Powell. Powell, who promoted conspiracy theories about nationwide vote-rigging and filed lawsuits to overturn election results, is a key figure in the pro-Trump movement. Palma’s tweets indicate a strong support for Trump and an allegiance to his baseless claims of election fraud, as well as her involvement in rallies and events supporting these beliefs.
Overall, Palma’s social media presence and involvement in pro-Trump events illustrate her alignment with Trump supporters and the “Stop the Steal” movement. While the Kennedy campaign seeks to distance itself from Palma’s views and activities, her public statements and actions suggest a strong allegiance to Trump and his baseless claims about the 2020 election. Palma’s support for Trump and her involvement in events promoting these beliefs indicate a segment of support for Kennedy that overlaps with Trump supporters aiming to see him re-elected in 2024.
