Ramona Singer, known for her role in The Real Housewives of New York City, is once again under fire for her social media activity.
The reality star, 68, sparked a wave of criticism after sharing a photo with Daniel Penny, a figure at the center of a highly controversial incident that occurred in New York City in May 2023.
Singer’s post, which has since been deleted, was met with immediate backlash from her followers.
The Controversial Encounter
In the now-deleted Instagram photo, Singer posed with Penny, a 26-year-old military veteran who made headlines last year after he was acquitted of homicide charges.
Penny was involved in the fatal choking of Jordan Neely, a 30-year-old homeless man, on a New York subway.
Neely, who struggled with schizophrenia and had a history of assaulting people on the subway, allegedly threatened to kill passengers before Penny intervened.
His actions, which led to Neely’s death, sparked public debate about the use of force in such situations.
Penny’s legal defense argued that the chokehold, which lasted for six minutes, was a response to Neely’s threatening behavior.
The situation drew attention to the complex issues surrounding mental health, homelessness, and public safety, especially as witnesses confirmed Neely’s aggressive actions before Penny intervened.
While Penny was acquitted, the case has remained divisive.
Singer’s Defended Position and Public Response
Despite the controversy surrounding Penny, Singer shared her support for him in her post.
She captioned the photo with the words, “So proud Daniel Penny !! #apennysaved #hero.”
This caption, coupled with the image of Singer and Penny at an event in New York City, quickly caught the attention of her over 905,000 Instagram followers.
However, the backlash was swift and intense. Many social media users criticized Singer for her decision to publicly support someone involved in a highly sensitive and tragic event.
Comments flooded in, with some users accusing Singer of endorsing violence.
One user wrote, “Literally murdered another human being in cold blood,” while another called her out for being “shameless.”
On Reddit, a thread emerged with the title, “For anyone who needs a reminder that Ramona is the POS who ruined RHONY and shouldn’t be given a platform again.”
The thread quickly gained over 3,000 likes and nearly 600 replies by Sunday afternoon, demonstrating the strong public reaction.
Ramona’s Weekend Celebrations Amid Backlash
Despite the online fury, Singer continued with her weekend plans.
She spent Mother’s Day celebrating her daughter Avery’s 30th birthday, showing a more personal side of her life.
Meanwhile, other notable figures, including former New York Governor David Paterson and former NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly, were reportedly present at the event where Singer took the photo with Penny.
Public Support for Penny: A Divisive Perspective
While Singer’s post drew sharp criticism, some public figures, like actor Jon Voight, have defended Penny’s actions.
Voight, who has been a vocal supporter of the former police officer, called Penny “a hero” for his response to Neely’s threats.
He expressed understanding of the difficult position Penny found himself in, acknowledging the bravery required to confront an individual making violent threats in a public setting.
Voight’s remarks reflect the ongoing debate about whether Penny’s response was justified or excessive.
While some believe that his actions were an appropriate defense against a dangerous individual, others argue that the level of force he used was disproportionate to the threat.
This stark divide in public opinion continues to fuel conversations about how to handle similar situations in the future.
Singer’s recent actions, both on social media and in her public support of Penny, are a reflection of this broader, unresolved debate about accountability, self-defense, and the complexities of tragic events like the one that took place on the subway last year.