A consultant for Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s independent presidential bid, Rita Palma, was fired after a video surfaced in which she suggested that the No. 1 priority for Kennedy’s voters was taking down President Biden. Palma claimed to be the campaign’s New York state director, but Kennedy’s team disputed this, stating that she was a ballot consultant. In the video, Palma expressed her belief that if neither candidate reaches the required 270 electoral votes, Congress would choose the president, potentially leading to Trump being chosen if the House of Representatives is Republican.
Despite Palma’s controversial statements, Kennedy’s campaign manager and daughter-in-law, Amaryllis Fox, emphasized that Palma had no involvement in or access to electoral strategy, nationally or in New York. The campaign’s sole aim was to win the White House with votes from former Trump and Biden supporters alike. Kennedy and his team have been attempting to counter accusations that his candidacy is serving as a spoiler to benefit Trump. Fox highlighted that polling during the primary showed Kennedy beating Trump in a general election matchup, while Biden lost to Trump every time.
Palma’s video also revealed her preference for Trump, although she had more Trump T-shirts than Bobby Kennedy T-shirts. However, she claimed that she no longer supported Trump due to his stance on vaccines. Kennedy, known for his skepticism about vaccines and opposition to mandates, has been vocal about these issues, which has drawn support from individuals like Palma who disagree with the current administration’s approach. Despite being terminated from her role, Palma expressed gratitude for her time with the campaign and looked forward to watching Kennedy’s political journey unfold.
Kennedy originally entered the 2024 race as a Democrat before switching his party affiliation to independent in October. While most of his family members have supported Biden, who has appointed several Kennedys to positions within his administration, Kennedy’s decision to run independently has sparked controversy and allegations that his candidacy is meant to split the Democratic vote and benefit Trump. Fox and the campaign have maintained that their goal is to win the White House with a strategy that appeals to both former Trump and Biden supporters, dismissing claims that Kennedy’s campaign is a spoiler in the election. The situation highlights the complexities and challenges associated with independent candidacies in the current political landscape.
