Tulsi Gabbard

Tulsi Gabbard is an American politician, current Director of National Intelligence, pro-Putin propagandistTulsi Gabbard’s Biggest Political Donor In 2021 Is A Putin Apologist by Zach Everson (Mar 14, 2022,05:07pm EDT) Forbes.What is Tulsi Gabbard actually doing on Russia? by Chris Cillizza (Updated 1:52 PM ET, March 1, 2022) CNN., unabashed political grifter, and from 2013 to 2021, was one of two Congressional Representatives from Hawaii. She was always pretty centrist, big on guns and welfare programs for native Hawaiians. Then she jumped headfirst into the culture wars, teaming up with Matt Walsh and frothing at the mouth about trans medicine.Lele, Aaditi and Winters, Alison, "Matt Walsh hosts anti-trans rally headlined by Marsha Blackburn, Tulsi Gabbard", The Vanderbilt Hustler 23 October 2022. It’s amazing what can happen to someone’s views as soon as they have different financiers.Grube, Nick, "Tulsi Gabbard’s Financial Disclosures Leave Out Ties To Koch-Funded Think Tank", Honolulu Civil Beat 1 March 2019.Silverman, Jacob, "The Quiet Political Rise of David Sacks, Silicon Valley’s Prophet of Urban Doom", The Soapbox 18 October 2011. 
Once she became a de facto Republican, she endorsed a number of Republican candidates in that year's midterm elections, including candidates who continue to shamelessly claim that the 2020 presidential election was "stolen" from Donald Trump by the deep state,The GOP's new, Russia-friendly campaign-trail buddy: Tulsi Gabbard among them Republican in the New Hampshire Senate race as well as Tulsi Gabbard Has Endorsed At Least 12 Republicans This Election Season 
By 2024, Gabbard was regularly appearing on Fox News and was regularly a speaker at Gabbard fully endorsed Trump for the 2024 U.S. presidential election and even appeared alongside Trump at a campaign event."Ex-Democrat Tulsi Gabbard officially endorses Trump" by James FitzGerald, BBC News, 2024 August 27"'Our democracy under attack': Tulsi Gabbard defends Trump at CPAC, targets Democrats and Nikki Haley", Economic Times, 2024 Feburary 24 (Six years earlier, she called him "Saudi Arabia's bitch".Adam Edelman (November 21, 2018). "Rep. Tulsi Gabbard eviscerates Trump as 'Saudi Arabia's bitch'". NBC News.) In October 2024, she formally joined the Republican Party.Sarah Fortinsky (October 22, 2024). "Tulsi Gabbard says she's joining the GOP at Trump rally in North Carolina". The Hill.Avi Bajpai (October 22, 2024). "Tulsi Gabbard announces she's joining the GOP while at NC campaign stop with Trump". The News & Observer.
==Uncle Ruckus at it again==
Gabbard is of European and Samoan ancestry. She was the youngest woman to be elected to a U.S. state legislature, serving in the Hawaii House of Representatives from 2002 to 2004. Directly following this, she served in an Iraq combat zone from 2004 to 2005, and was later deployed to Kuwait from 2008 to 2009.
===In Congress===
Gabbard was elected to represent Hawaii's 2nd congressional district in 2013, succeeding Mazie Hirono after she was elected to the Senate.http://www.khon2.com/news/local/story/Tulsi-Gabbard-announces-candidacy-for-U-S-Congress/8JxmuXAT2EeJnbv8E0jkGw.cspx Gabbard was the first Hindu to serve in Congress. She was the vice-chair of the Democratic National Committee from 2013 until 2016, when she resigned to endorse Bernie Sanders for President. She was a relatively moderate DemocratTulsi Gabbard. GovTrack.usProgressivePunch: House Members by score / All issuesThe VoteView entry on Tulsi Gabbard in a heavily left-leaning district, and her support for Sanders was a convenient way to counter a primary challenger from the left.Pignataro, Anthony, "Maui Democratic Party activist Shay Chan Hodges says she’s running against U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard", Maui Time 7.7.16. As a result, her reputation as a progressive was quickly called into question.Higgins, Eoin, "Tulsi Gabbard Is Not Who You Think She Is", Paste (11/22/16 at 9:12am). By 2020, it was essentially destroyed. 
It would, perhaps, be instructive to review a variety of voices that have, in the past, praised Ms Gabbard. Steve Bannon, President Trump’s former chief strategist, expressed admiration for her political talent. Mr. Bannon is a former chair of Breitbart News L.L.C., the parent Company of Breitbart News, which he declared "the platform of the alt-right." Richard B. Spencer and David Duke, the white nationalist leader and former KKK leader, endorsed her candidacy. Former Representative Ron Paul, whose son Senator Rand Paul has inherited his father's seat at the libertarian crazy car, praised her “libertarian instincts,” and wingnut evangelist Franklin Graham is a fanboy.Franklin Graham, archived from Twitter, 11 October 2022
She announced on January 11, 2019 that she was running for President of the United States in 2020.You can see her FEC form here In March 2020, Gabbard ended her campaign (after winning no contests and remaining in the single digits for polling) — while Bernie Sanders, whom she ostensibly supported in 2016, was still running his campaign — and endorsed Joe Biden (who, just two years later, she would compare to Adolf Hitler).Former Democratic party leader Tulsi Gabbard compares Biden to Adolf Hitler, C Krishnasai, WION 18 October 2022 Before then, she announced that she would not seek reelection to the House of Representatives.
===After Congress===
In October 2022, she posted a video to Twitter announcing that she had officially left the Democratic Party, stating that the party was an "elitist cabal of warmongers" and registering as an Independent.Tulsi Gabbard announces she is leaving Democratic Party, calling it an 'elitist cabal of warmongers' October 11, 2022, Isabella Murray and Mark Osborne, ABC News Despite her status as an Independent, however, she then immediately went on to endorse several far-right Republican candidates in that year's elections, including Don Bolduc,Can Ex-Democrat Tulsi Gabbard Bail Out This Election Denier?, Jake Lahut, The Daily Beast12 October 2022 who supported having the CIA fight the Russians in Ukraine.Bolduc’s ‘Reckless’ Comments About Russia Spark Criticism, Calls to Withdraw, Michael Graham, NH Journal 1 March 2022 But then it’s like she almost realized she could make more money grifting as a pathetic 'pick me' and all of her opinions changed overnight. Weird.
==On the issues==
Gabbard opposes the Trans-Pacific Partnership, calls for a restoration of the Glass-Steagall banking regulations, wants to stop mass surveillance of Americans by repealing the PATRIOT Act, supports raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour,Rep. Tulsi Gabbard on Facebook: Raise the Wage Act | Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard. January 8, 2018. Press Release. and favors single-payer healthcare like many Democrats after the passage of Obamacare.Universal Healthcare | Tulsi Gabbard - Fighting for the people. votetulsi.com She supports marijuana legalization.Tulsi Gabbard on Marijuana Legalization
In 2014, Gabbard said she was "conflicted" on the CIA's use of torture, saying that the "debate carries on" as to whether torture leads to accurate intelligence, and although she would not like to see any person being treated inhumanely she would do everything in her power to keep Americans safe in a ticking time bomb scenario.Peoples War: "Tulsi Gabbard Endorses Torture During 12/17/14 NDTV Appearance @ 16:45" YouTube. January 14, 2019. 
Gabbard supports "sensible"Gun Control Vote Tulsi. gun control.Tulsi Gabbard's Voting Records on Issue: Guns Vote Smart.
Gabbard's base of support comes from Indian expatriates, many of whom are BJP sympathizers or supporters. She's networked with plenty of them.Balachandran, Manu, "Tulsi Gabbard, the first Hindu in the US Congress, on Modi, Hinduism, and linking Islam to terror", Quartz India 3.2.16. She thinks that it is important to identify the enemy by using the phrase "radical Islamist terrorism."Schwartz, Ian, "Dem Rep. Gabbard: Use Term Radical Islamic Terrorism, 'Important That You Identify Your Enemy'", RCP 7.18.16. She has recently moved much further to the right, for instance comparing the vague concept of "cancel culture" to ISIS and Al-Qaeda.
===Gay rights===
Her record on LGBT issues is poor.Pignataro, Anthony, "UPDATED: Here’s why the Hawaii LGBT Caucus doesn’t support Rep. Tulsi Gabbard’s reelection campaign", Maui Time 7.25.16. The Gabbards started in politics as homophobic activists.Bolante, Ronna, "Who is Mike Gabbard?", Honolulu Magazine (8/1/04). In 2016, the Hawaii Democratic Party's LGBT Caucus issued strong support for Gabbard's primary opponent, Shay Chan Hodges. A decade earlier, Gabbard was an anti-abortion opponent of same-sex marriage, just like her Republican father, Mike Gabbard. In her early 20s, Gabbard protested against a bill that would have legalized civil unions for same-sex couples and delivered a speech in the Hawaii State House against a resolution that was meant to target homophobic bullying in public schools. Gabbard objected to teaching students that homosexuality is "normal and natural" and worried the resolution would be "inviting homosexual-advocacy organizations into our schools to promote their agenda to our vulnerable youth."Sanneh, Kelefa. "What does Tulsi Gabbard believe?" The New Yorker. November 6, 2017.
When Honolulu magazine emailed Gabbard's father to clarify his former relationship with Chris Butler's Hare Krishna group, Tulsi Gabbard responded "it’s clear to me that you’re acting as a conduit for The Honolulu Weekly and other homosexual extremist supporters of Despite being followers of Siddhaswarupananda Paramahamsa (a.k.a. Chris Butler), whose cult was founded after breaking away from the Hare Krishnas,Q&A with Tulsi Gabbard. Yoga, Peace, and the Aloha Spirit, Yoga Hawaii Magazine 03.08.18. Mike Gabbard publicly claims to be Catholic while Tulsi Gabbard identifies as Hindu.Tulsi Gabbard Still Dogged By Krishna Cult Rumors by Rui Kaneya (03/16/2015 02:26 pm ET) The Huffington Post. He and Tulsi Gabbard have been running a nonprofit called Stand Up for America, with the mission of promoting patriotism and unity of the US.Essoyan, Susan, "Rivals protest endorsement of Tamayo by her nonprofit", Star Advertiser 1.4.17.
To her credit, Gabbard later apologised and said her "views have changed significantly since then."Choi, Matthew. "Tulsi Gabbard apologizes for past anti-LGBT rhetoric" Politico. January 17, 2019. By 2017, she had a 100% rating from the Human Rights Campaign.LGBT civil rights advocacy group the Human Rights Campaign gave Gabbard a 100% score for the 115th United States Congress (January 2017 to January 2019). Her 114th score was 88% and her 113th score was 92%. While she rebuffed a 2013 offer for a meeting with the Hawaiian LGBT Caucus, she was a member of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus. Gabbard herself once cited her time in the military, seeing the dangers of theocratic rule, that made her change her mind on her public position on marriage equality. But alas, she would later reveal her views hadn't changed much after all.
===Trans rights===
In December 2020, Gabbard introduced a bill that would "clarify Title IX protections to be based on biological sex," meaning transgender athletes would effectively be barred from participating in women's sports.NEW: Hawaii Rep. @TulsiGabbard introduces bill called ‘Protect Women’s Sports Act’ — would clarify Title IX protections to be based on biological sex, which would impact transgender athletes participating in athletic programs for women and girls @KITV4 by Tom George (2:27 PM - 10 Dec 2020) Twitter (archived from December 11, 2020). In 2022, she spoke at an anti-trans rally hosted by Matt Walsh.
===Foreign policy===
Gabbard's perspective on war is that it is terrible but sometimes necessary:
Gabbard voted for the Iran nuclear deal, albeit while still being critical of Iran.Press Release: "Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Votes in Support of Iran Deal Over Alternatives", 9.11.14. She opposes allowing the US to go to war with Iran without explicit congressional authorization. She opposes the US military support for Saudi Arabia's intervention in Yemen.VIDEO: Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Urges Congress to Oppose Authorization for War Against Iran Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard - Press Release. May 22, 2018. She also said the US has to stand up for Israel, whom she considers to be America's strongest ally.Press Release: "Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Reacts To Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Address To Congress", 3.4.15. She opposes the (BDS) campaign against Israel's occupation of Palestine and cosponsored a bill establishing support for an independent 'demilitarized' Palestinian state without the ability to raise a military force for its defense.Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Reinforces Commitment to Peace Through Two-State Solution for Israel and Palestine Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard - Press Release. January 6, 2017.
In a 2015 press release, Gabbard was quoted saying that Egypt's had shown "great courage and leadership" in taking on "extreme Islamist ideology".PHOTOS: Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Meets with Egypt President el-Sisi and Other Leaders in Cairo Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard - Press Release. November 23, 2015. Gabbard has also described India's Narendra Modi as "a leader whose example and dedication to the people he serves should be an inspiration to elected officials everywhere."
====Syria====
In 2015, Gabbard criticised the United States for not bombing al-Qaeda in Syria and said it was "mind-boggling" to protest "Bad enough US has not been bombing al-Qaeda/al-Nusra in Syria. But it’s mind-boggling that we protest Russia’s bombing of these terrorists." Tulsi Gabbard on Twitter. September 30, 2015. Gabbard was also in favour of directly supporting and arming Kurdish fighters in Syria and Iraq.Fox News: "Lawmaker says Assad should stay in power for now". YouTube. Oct 2, 2015. Gabbard voted to add extra investigation of Syrian and Iraqi refugees coming into into the US, even though the screening process already took between 1.5 and 3 years.Ashe, Ivy, "Gabbard supports GOP bill on Syrian refugees", Hawaii Tribune-Herald (11/21/15 at 1:30am). This would essentially block Syrian and Iraqi refugees from resettling in the United States.
In March 2016, Gabbard was one of only three members of Congress, and the only Democrat, to vote against a resolution condemning violence against civilians by Assad's forces."Tulsi Gabbard: The Bernie-Endorsing Congresswoman Who Trump Fans Can Love" The Daily Beast. July 25, 2016. In January 2017, she went to Damascus and got wined and dined by the regime.Tulsi Gabbard's Syria meeting with Assad sparks outcry. BBC News. January 27, 2017.Heather Caygle and Josh Bresnahan, "Gabbard won't disclose who's paying for secret trip to Syria", Politico (Updated 01/18/17 05:24 PM EST).Cribb, Esmi, "Tulsi Gabbard Confirms She Met With Assad During Secret Trip To Syria" TPM (1/25/17 at 4:34 PM EDT).Rowell, Alex, "Tulsi Gabbard’s Fascist Escorts to Syria", Daily Beast (1/26/17 at 4:25 PM ET). Democratic leaders in Congress were not notified of the trip in advance.Siddiqui, Sabrina, "Tulsi Gabbard reveals she met Assad in Syria, without informing top Democrats", Guardian (1/26/17 at 12:58 PM EST). While she has called Assad a "brutal dictator",Gabbard, Tulsi. "End the War in Syria." votetulsi.com she does not believe he is an enemy of the United States.Dem Rep Gabbard Repeatedly Defends Assad, Refuses To Call Him An “Adversary” Or “Enemy” YouTube. Feb 6, 2019. She has stated that Syria "would be in a far worse situation if al-Qaida took charge" and is therefore against a regime-change war."Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Introduces Bill To Halt U.S. Arms Supplies To Syrian Allies", NPR (12/10/16 at 8:27 AM ET).
In a press release following the and Gabbard stated:
She made similar comments on CNN, adding that she would call Assad a war criminal if he were found responsible after an independent investigation:
After an investigation, the The Joint Investigative Mechanism was a partnership between the (OPCW) and the United Nations (UN). confirmed Assad's forces were responsible for the Khan Shaykhun attack.Timeline of investigations into Syria's chemical weapons. Reuters. April 9, 2018. However, rather than calling for Assad's "prosecution and execution", according to Gabbard's official website, her position is that "there is evidence to suggest that the attacks [in Khan Shaykhun and Douma] may have been staged by opposition forces". Both attacks occurred after her visit with Assad.
Her website also states that "there is evidence that both the Syrian government of Bashar al-Assad as well as the armed opposition groups aligned against him have used chemical weapons (CW) during the Syrian war",Tulsi's Record on the Issues: Reports on Chemical Attacks in Syria. tulsi2020.com apparently in reference to previous chemical attacks. The evidence shows that Assad's regime carried out almost all — 98 percent — of the chemical weapon attacks."More Than 300 Chemical Attacks Launched During Syrian Civil War, Study Says" by Clare Lombardo, NPR, 2019 February 17 As a guest on The View, Gabbard said "there is no disputing the fact that [Assad] has used chemical weapons and other weapons against his people.""Rep. Tulsi Gabbard on why she’s running for president | The View". YouTube. Feb 20, 2019. Despite this, she has refused to say Assad is a war criminal:
==Russian asset==
Apparently due to Gabbard's support for Russian military involvement in Syria, she has gained financial campaign support from at least two or three Americans who are Russia sycophants: "Stephen F. Cohen, a Russian studies professor at New York University and prominent Kremlin sympathizer; Sharon Tennison, a vocal of the Russian dictator Vladimir Putin supporter"; and "Goofy Grapes", an employee of RT.Tulsi Gabbard’s Campaign Is Being Boosted by Putin Apologists: The Hawaii congresswoman is quickly becoming the top candidate for Democrats who think the Russian leader is misunderstood. by Lachlan Markay & Sam Stein (05.17.19 4:44 AM ET) Daily Beast. The actual identity of "Goofy Grapes", who gave $1000, is unknown and would therefore seem to be a violation of the Federal Election Campaign Act.Contribution limits Federal Election Commission. In response to the Daily Beast's revelation of these campaign donations, she responded in a most Trumpian manner, by falsely proclaiming "fake news".Gabbard calls unflattering report 'fake news' by David Beavers (05/19/2019 11:29 AM EDT) Politico.
On October 18, 2019, Hillary Clinton said that Russia was “grooming” a candidate to run as a third-party candidate who would help President Trump win reelection through the spoiler effect. Later that day, Gabbard went Trumpian again, responding in a tweet by attacking Clinton as the "queen of warmongers." Clinton had yet to actually confirm that her remarks were in reference to Gabbard, who nonetheless recognized that Clinton was talking about her.
In February 2019 NBC News published a report charging that "the Russian propaganda machine that tried to influence the 2016 U.S. election is now promoting" Gabbard based on an analysis of the main English-language news sites employed by Russia in the Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections."Russia's propaganda machine discovers 2020 Democratic candidate Tulsi Gabbard" - NBC News. Written by Robert Windrem and Ben Popken. Published on Feb. 2, 2019 at 7:03 AM EST. In October 2019 the New York Times reported that "an independent analysis of the Russian news media found that RT, the Kremlin-backed news agency, mentioned Ms. Gabbard frequently for a candidate polling in single digits, according to data collected by the 
In 2017 Christopher Cooper, a media consultant with the Potomac Square Group, worked as a consultant to Gabbard. Cooper, a figure in the investigation of the Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections, has been involved in Russian-sponsored lobbying; during Congressional testimony his lobbying work was referred to as "one the best examples of Putin’s propaganda.""The 332 people connected to the Russia probes" - Politico. Published Januay 2018.
In 2022 it was revealed that Gabbard had accepted money from Elena Chernykh, who was at the time under indictment for illegally acting as an unregistered Russian agent on U.S. soil."Accused Russian Agent Gave to One Politician: Tulsi Gabbard" - The Daily Beast
Gabbard has also supported Putin at his war against Ukraine, frequent echoing Kremlin propaganda, so much that the Russian state-media called her a "superwoman". She also helped disseminating conspiracy theories about the conflict, such as claiming that there were dozens US-funded biolabs in Ukraine that were producing deadly pathogens. Gabbard has also stated that the cause of the war is not Putin's imperialism, but the fact that Joe Biden and NATO didn't acknowledge "Russia’s legitimate security concerns".
Despite the fact that she has no experience or qualifications for the position, Trump nominated Gabbard as the Director of National Intelligence for his administration in 2024, presumably because it would make it easier for Trump to quietly give away US secrets to Russia.Tulsi Gabbard’s Nomination Is a National-Security Risk: The Senate can stop her. by Tom Nichols (November 13, 2024, 7:40 PM ET) The Atlantic. In February of the next year, the US Senate, controlled by the GOP, voted to confirm her, with Mitch McConnell being the only dissenting GOP vote.
==Science of Identity Foundation==
Gabbard has a number of ties to the (SIF), a religious sect in Hawaii that has been described as a cult.Kelefa Sanneh, What Does Tulsi Gabbard Believe? The New Yorker, 30 October 2017.Sophie Cocke, Tulsi Gabbard’s run for president brings questions about past. staradvertiser.com, 27 January 2019. The sect is led by Chris Butler (aka Siddhaswarupananda Goswami), who had been a member of the Hare Krishna movement (ISKCON) since 1970 but later split with the organization to found SIF. SIF has sufficient similarities to ISKCON (Vaishnava branch of Hinduism, teaching of Bhakti yoga, similar taboos), that it should probably be regarded as a schism of ISKCON. Former members who were critical of the sect described being forced to worship Butler - up to the point of eating his nail clippings and sand that he had walked on.Kelefa Sanneh, What Does Tulsi Gabbard Believe? The New Yorker, 30 October 2017. His teachings were also described as misogynistic and - perhaps foreshadowing Gabbard's future - homophobic and Islamophobic.
Gabbard's father, Mike Gabbard, said in 2004: "Although I'm not a member of the Science of Identity Foundation, I'm eternally thankful to Chris Butler;" however, both he and Gabbard's mother served on the board of the Science of Identity Foundation, and his sister Sinavaiana told The Independent in a 2022 interview that he had joined the group 40 years prior.https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/tulsi-gabbard-cult-putin-democrat-science-of-identity-b2058196.html Gabbard was raised in part with the group's teachings, and went to a boarding school in the Philippines run by the SIF.
In 2015, Gabbard referred to Butler as her "guru dev" or spiritual master. Gabbard's husband, Abraham Williams, has strong family connections to Butler. His mother, Anya Anthony, works with Wai Lana Productions LLC, a company associated with Butler’s wife; Anthony runs Gabbard's political office in Honolulu. Gabbard has not answered questions about her ties to the sect, claiming that it is an attack on her Hindu faith.Rui Kaneya, Krishna Cult Rumors Still Dog Tulsi Gabbard. civilbeat.org, 16 March 2015.
==See also==
*Tokenism - She’s part of the Pick-Me Cinematic Universe alongside Dave Rubin and Candace Owens.
*Tucker Carlson – Gabbard has been a semi-regular guest on Carlson's show.Gabbard has appeared at least 11 times on Tucker Carlson's show since 2017, including at least 6 appearances in 2019:
*2017: Jan 13, Jan 27, Apr 7, Jul 24.
*2018: May 4.
*2019: Feb 28, May 23, Jun 27, Jul 19, Jul 29, Aug 1.
==Notes==
==References==
Category:2016 US presidential election
Category:2020 US Presidential candidates
Category:Former United States Representatives
Category:Hindus
Category:Homophobes
Category:Leftists who turned right with age
Category:Living people
Category:Military
Category:Right-wing activists
Category:Transphobes
Category:Trumpism
Category:United States politicians
Category:Vatniks
Category:Trump administration