A consultant for Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s independent presidential bid was fired after a video surfaced of her suggesting that his voters were focused on taking down President Biden. The campaign manager, Amaryllis Fox, confirmed that advisor Rita Palma was terminated due to misrepresentation and inaccurate job claims. Palma had criticized vaccine mandates, claimed to be the campaign’s New York state director, and said she voted for former President Donald Trump. She suggested that Kennedy and Trump voters had a mutual enemy in Biden and discussed a strategy to reduce Biden’s Electoral College votes by targeting blue states.
In the video, Palma discussed the possibility of Congress deciding the president if no candidate reaches 270 electoral votes, which she believed would benefit Trump if a Republican-led House had to make the decision. Fox downplayed the video, stating that Palma had no involvement in the campaign’s electoral strategy and was speaking as a private citizen. Kennedy’s team faced accusations that his candidacy was a spoiler intended to benefit Trump, but Fox argued that Biden, not Kennedy, was the true spoiler. Kennedy has been critical of vaccines and mandates, drawing a contrast between himself and Biden.
Palma acknowledged her termination and described her time with the campaign as one of the best political adventures of her life. She expressed no ill will and looked forward to watching Kennedy continue his presidential bid. Kennedy initially launched his campaign as a Democrat but switched to independent in October. Despite his independent status, most of his family has supported Biden, with several Kennedys working within Biden’s administration in various roles such as ambassadors and special envoys. Kennedy has gained attention for his skepticism about vaccines and mandates, aligning himself with the anti-vaccine movement.
The firing of Palma indicated a shift in Kennedy’s campaign as they sought to distance themselves from controversial statements made by staff members. The campaign’s focus on attracting a diverse voter base including former Trump and Biden supporters aimed to differentiate Kennedy’s platform from traditional party politics. Kennedy’s environmental advocacy and criticism of vaccines have been central to his campaign message, emphasizing a libertarian approach to public health policy. The termination of Palma highlighted the challenges faced by independent candidates seeking to navigate the political landscape while maintaining their unique positions on key issues.
The controversy surrounding Palma’s comments underscored the tensions within Kennedy’s campaign and the broader political divide in the United States. As the 2024 election cycle progressed, Kennedy faced scrutiny over his platform, with critics questioning his qualifications and policy positions. His decision to run as an independent reflected a desire to pursue a different path from the two-party system, but it also posed challenges in terms of building a cohesive and effective campaign strategy. The firing of Palma highlighted the importance of vetting campaign staff and ensuring that their statements align with the candidate’s goals and messaging. Kennedy’s bid for the presidency represented a departure from mainstream politics, with a focus on unconventional policy proposals and a commitment to challenging the status quo.
