Tulsi Gabbard’s Enigmatic Alliance: Unraveling Alleged Russian Connections and Fallout

A political firestorm surrounds Tulsi Gabbard amid accusations of Russian involvement, leaving many questions unanswered.

At a Glance

Tulsi Gabbard faces allegations of being a Russian asset but lacks substantial evidence.
Hillary Clinton’s remarks sparked the controversy linking Gabbard to Russian ties.
Gabbard’s new book continues to assert discredited claims against Clinton.
Accusations against Gabbard are amplifying as she considers a potential political role.

Gabbard’s Political Background and Controversy

Tulsi Gabbard, former U.S. Representative from Hawaii, has found herself at the center of a political controversy involving accusations of Russian ties. These assertions emerged prominently after Hillary Clinton implied that Gabbard was being “groomed” by Russians to mount a third-party challenge during the 2016 Democratic primary. Furthermore, the situation escalated when Gabbard was considered for the role of Director of National Intelligence by the Trump administration, prompting renewed criticisms from politicians like Senator Tammy Duckworth and Senator Elizabeth Warren.

The allegations gained traction despite the absence of concrete evidence, as noted by reputable sources like The Associated Press. Gabbard has repeatedly denied the claims, emphasizing the lack of factual basis to support them. Nevertheless, the narrative has proven persistent, fueled in part by the politically charged origins and speculative nature surrounding it.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard pushes back on those she says insinuated she’s a “Russian asset, a trojan horse” after Hillary Clinton implied, without naming names, that a female 2020 candidate is a “favorite of the Russians.” https://t.co/aMKSCcYgCv pic.twitter.com/DxCJG0u528

— The View (@TheView) November 6, 2019

Allegations and Claims in Gabbard’s Book

In her book, “For Love of Country: Why I Left the Democratic Party,” Gabbard reiterates her accusations against Clinton, alleging that Clinton accused her of being “groomed by the Russians.” However, Clinton’s initial remarks focused on Republicans encouraging a third-party bid, not a direct accusation involving Russian grooming. Fact-checks across media outlets have documented these inconsistencies, with The Washington Post awarding the claims three Pinocchios for significant factual errors.

“The initial news reports got it wrong, perhaps fueled by the ‘nesting doll’ comment, with many saying Clinton said the Russians were grooming Gabbard for a third-party bid.” – The Washington Post

Despite these errors, Gabbard’s book also delves into supporting Trump on several legal issues while criticizing U.S. support for Ukraine. Speculation grows over her political future, with some viewing her as a potential running mate for Trump in the upcoming presidential election.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard pushes back on those she says insinuated she’s a “Russian asset, a trojan horse” after Hillary Clinton implied, without naming names, that a female 2020 candidate is a “favorite of the Russians.” https://t.co/aMKSCcYgCv pic.twitter.com/DxCJG0u528

— The View (@TheView) November 6, 2019

Political Motivations Behind the Allegations

Clinton’s 2019 comments about Gabbard described potential grooming for third-party candidacies, suggesting broader Democratic strategies against political opponents. Megyn Kelly discussed this on Jillian Michaels’ podcast, detailing how Clinton allegedly utilized the Russian interference narrative to undermine Gabbard’s rising influence. As Gabbard transitioned from being a Democrat to an independent, and eventually a Republican supporter, her political journey continued to garner attention.

“They are also going to do third-party again, and I’m not making any predictions but I think they’ve got their eye on somebody who is currently in the Democratic primary and are grooming her to be the third-party candidate.” – Hillary Clinton

While the accusations remain unsubstantiated, they underscore a deeper political discourse shaped by alliances, disagreements, and ideological shifts. As this controversy continues to unfold, the implications for Gabbard, and broader political narratives, remain significant and charged.