Gronkowski fires back after Turning Point USA backlash

Ex-NFL star Rob Gronkowski issues blunt statement after Turning Point USA controversy.

Gronkowski released the statement on Instagram Stories on November 5, 2026.

The four-time Super Bowl champion denied any connection to Turning Point USA.

Photos and videos from Election Day in New Hampshire sparked questions about his involvement.

Gronkowski explained that he and his partner, Camille Kostek, had simply stopped to greet fans after visiting Goffstown High School.

“It has been upsetting and eye opening to see the narratives around my visit to NH on Election Day with Camille,” Gronkowski wrote.

He directly addressed reports linking the couple to the conservative organization.

“In regard to the images and videos circulating we are not endorsed by or affiliated with Turning Point USA,” he clarified.

Reports had connected Gronkowski’s appearance to the group’s Election Day activities.

Gronkowski said the media had misunderstood the situation.

He explained that excited fans called out their names while they crossed the street.

The couple stopped for photographs, and he signed several items before leaving.

“We took photos with people across the political spectrum throughout that morning,” he wrote.

He also rejected the way media outlets presented the interaction.

“We cannot control what the media has made of it and running with – so we are here to shut down the false narratives,” Gronkowski added.

The former tight end expressed disappointment that a brief interaction had become a political controversy.

“It’s disappointing to see an innocent moment stripped of context and turned into clickbait,” he wrote.

Gronkowski closed his statement by stressing that his message remains focused on kindness.

“Our message has always been and always will be to treat everyone with kindness and hope you all will do the same,” Gronkowski wrote.

His response makes clear that he wants the public to separate a fan interaction from political involvement.

Gronkowski was one of several former athletes seen at New Hampshire polling locations on Election Day.

Professional boxer Floyd Mayweather was also spotted at polling places in the state.

The controversy comes just days before a major milestone for Gronkowski.

On Saturday, the "Gronk Spike" will officially be immortalized as he is inducted into the New England Patriots Hall of Fame.

Gronkowski will become the 38th member of the Patriots organization to be inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame.

He is the latest second dynasty player — following Vince Wilfork, Julian Edelman and Tom Brady — to wear the red jacket.

Gronkowski has more receiving touchdowns than any other Patriots player, with 79.

He ranks second in receiving yards, with 7,861, and fifth in receptions, with 521.

The dominant tight end played nine seasons in New England.

He joined Brady in Tampa Bay for two more seasons.

Gronkowski achieved a total of four Super Bowl victories in his career: XLIX, LI, LIII, and LV.

The words "greatest tight end of all time" often describe the 6-foot-6, 265-pound force.

People continue to debate his accolades against recent successes like Travis Kelce and previous players like Tony Gonzalez.

However, when comparing Gronkowski with other tight ends, it is clear that no one played the game like New England’s No. 87.

Gronk has some of the clutchest plays of any tight end for any organization ever.

He is a defining point of the 2010s Patriots dynasty.

He served as one of the three figureheads with Brady and Edelman.

Each carried a load in winning three Super Bowls in five years.