Camille Kostek has backed Rob Gronkowski after the former New England Patriots star denied claims that the couple supported Turning Point USA during their Election Day visit to New Hampshire. (Getty Images)
Gronkowski’s statement came two days after the couple’s appearance at polling locations in New Hampshire on November 3. The former NFL star and Kostek greeted fans, signed jerseys and posed for photos.
The former New England Patriots tight end said the speculation was “upsetting and eye opening” after photos of the couple near a tent bearing the conservative group’s logo began circulating online. The couple said they were simply greeting fans and taking pictures, not campaigning for a political organization. However, a spokesperson for Turning Point USA told CBS News that Gronkowski was not part of the organization’s group. The spokesperson said the former tight end had walked past the tent. “It has been upsetting and eye opening to see the narratives around my visit to NH on Election Day with Camille,” Gronkowski said on Instagram on November 5. The former Patriots star said they “took photos with people across the political spectrum throughout that morning” and added, “We cannot control what the media has made of it and running with — so we are here to shut down the false narratives.
Rob Gronkowski has rejected claims that he and Camille Kostek were supporting Turning Point USA during their Election Day visit to New Hampshire. Kostek, meanwhile, reposted Gronkowski’s statement on Instagram, signaling her support for his response. Some of those interactions took place near a tent displaying the Turning Point USA logo, which led to questions about their political leanings. Kostek reposted his statement to her Instagram Story later that day. Her response was brief, but it showed that she stood behind Gronkowski as the couple tried to clear up the confusion. New Hampshire voters were deciding two major races on Election Day, including a vacant U.S. Senate seat and the governor’s race. Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte narrowly defeated Democrat Cinde Warmington, while Chris Pappas defeated John Sununu to become the first openly gay man elected to the U.S. Senate. Against that political backdrop, Gronkowski and Kostek’s appearance drew attention they say they never intended to attract. Their statement makes one thing clear: the couple wants their interactions with fans to remain separate from political endorsements.