Rob Gronkowski wants everyone to know the truth. The former NFL star says he is not connected to Turning Point USA, the conservative organization founded by the late Charlie Kirk. His message comes after videos from Election Day in New Hampshire sparked online rumors about his political ties.
Gronkowski, 37, and his longtime girlfriend Camille Kostek were seen outside polling places in New Hampshire on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Footage shared on social media showed the retired tight end posing for photos and signing autographs near a tent with the Turning Point logo. That was enough for some people online to claim he was working with the group.
On Thursday, November 5, Gronkowski posted a statement on his Instagram Stories to clear things up. He did not hold back about how the situation made him feel.
“It has been upsetting and eye-opening to see the narratives around my visit to NH on Election Day with Camille,” Gronkowski wrote. “In regard to the images and videos circulating, we are not endorsed by or affiliated with Turning Point USA.”
What Really Happened at the Polls
Gronkowski explained the situation in simple terms. He and Kostek stopped at Goffstown High School on Election Day. After leaving the school, they crossed the street because fans were calling out their names. They took pictures, signed some items, and then moved on to their next stop.
“We simply took some pictures, and I signed some things for them before leaving,” he said in his statement.
The former New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers star also said he and Kostek took photos with people from different political backgrounds that morning.
“We took photos with people across the political spectrum throughout that morning,” Gronkowski wrote. “We cannot control what the media has made of it and running with — so we are here to shut down the false narratives.”
He ended his message with a direct call for kindness.
“It’s disappointing to see an innocent moment stripped of context and turned into clickbait. Our message has always been and always will be to treat everyone with kindness and hope you all will do the same.”
Kostek, 34, shared the same statement on her own Instagram account.
Turning Point USA Says Gronkowski Was Not With Them
A spokesperson for Turning Point USA told CBS News that Gronkowski was not part of their group. The spokesperson said he simply walked past a branded table. The organization never claimed he was working with them.
The confusion started because Tyler Bowyer, chief operating officer of Turning Point’s political advocacy arm, posted videos of Gronkowski near the group’s tent on X (formerly Twitter). Those videos were viewed millions of times. People who saw them made assumptions. The facts, according to both Gronkowski and Turning Point, tell a different story.
Other Athletes Were Also at the Polls
Gronkowski was not the only famous athlete seen at New Hampshire polling locations on Election Day. Former Patriots player Danny Amendola, boxer Mike Tyson, boxer Floyd Mayweather, and former Boston Red Sox player Kevin Youkilis were also spotted near polling places. According to WMUR-TV, their appearances were part of a voter outreach effort organized by Turning Point Action, the political advocacy arm of Turning Point USA.
That context made it easy for people online to group Gronkowski with the others. But Turning Point confirmed he was not part of their organized activities.
New Hampshire’s Republican Governor Kelly Ayotte also posted a photo with Gronkowski at the polls in Bedford. In her caption, she wrote that it was “great to see everyone out at the polls and Gronk and Camille in New Hampshire today encouraging everyone to vote!” She did not claim Gronkowski endorsed her.
Why This Matters to Gronkowski
Gronkowski has no history of being outspoken about politics. CBS News reported that he is not registered to vote in New Hampshire and has not endorsed political candidates in the past. Since retiring from the NFL in 2022, he has built a career as a television analyst and brand partner. He became a full-time analyst on FOX NFL Sunday ahead of the 2025 season, working alongside Terry Bradshaw, Michael Strahan, Howie Long, and host Curt Menefee.
His public image has always been about football, fun, and family-friendly entertainment. Being pulled into a political story is not something he has sought out.
A Big Week for Gronkowski
The timing of this controversy is notable. Gronkowski is set to be inducted into the New England Patriots Hall of Fame on Saturday, November 7, 2026. The ceremony will take place at Patriot Place Plaza outside Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in April in his first year of eligibility. He will be the 38th person honored by the team.
Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft released a statement when the induction was announced.
“Rob Gronkowski’s performance on the field was extraordinary, but it was his infectious energy and consistently positive presence that truly set him apart,” Kraft said. “He always brightened everyone’s day. He earned the right to be in the Patriots Hall of Fame.”
Kraft will miss the ceremony. He is recovering from back surgery and will also miss the Patriots’ home game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, November 8.
What Gronkowski Told Fans at the Polls
A video posted by 7News showed Gronkowski speaking to people at the polling location on Election Day. He kept his message simple and non-partisan.
“It’s just great to see how many people are coming out here to vote,” Gronkowski said. “It doesn’t matter what party —”
That clip matches his statement two days later. He was there to encourage voting, not to support a specific group or candidate.
Social Media Reaction
Online reactions were split, as they often are with political stories. Some people praised Gronkowski for speaking up quickly and clearly. Others questioned why he was near the Turning Point tent in the first place.
Mediaite reported that Gronkowski faced both praise and criticism as the photos and videos spread across social media platforms. The reaction largely depended on the political views of the person commenting.
The Daily Beast ran a headline calling Gronkowski a “Newly Outed MAGA NFL Icon.” That headline spread quickly, even though Gronkowski’s statement directly denied any affiliation with Turning Point USA.
Sports Illustrated model Kostek also faced speculation about her political views. She reposted Gronkowski’s statement to her own account, making it clear that both of them wanted to set the record straight.
The Bottom Line
Gronkowski’s message is straightforward. He took photos with fans. He signed autographs. He stood near a tent. He did not work with Turning Point USA, and he is not endorsed by the group.
The former tight end has spent his post-football career building a brand around positivity and entertainment. Getting pulled into a political story over a few photos is not what he planned for the week of his Hall of Fame induction.
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Gronkowski will be in Foxborough on Saturday, November 7 to receive one of the highest honors of his football career. The ceremony is set to start at 1 p.m. ET, a few hours before the Patriots host the Packers.
For fans who want to watch the induction, the Patriots organization is expected to share live coverage on its official channels. The event is also open to fans at Patriot Place Plaza.
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