Former Democratic congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard finds herself at the center of a political storm, accused of Russian connections without substantial evidence.
At a Glance
- Gabbard’s alleged Russian connections stem from her 2016 endorsement of Bernie Sanders over Hillary Clinton
- Clinton’s comments sparked ongoing accusations, despite lack of evidence
- Fellow Democrats perpetuated these claims during Gabbard’s nomination for an intelligence role
- The Associated Press emphasized the lack of evidence supporting these allegations
- Gabbard’s book repeats discredited claims about Clinton’s statements
The Origins of the Controversy
The saga of Tulsi Gabbard’s alleged Russian connections began in 2016 when she endorsed Bernie Sanders over Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primary. This decision apparently upset Clinton and other Democrats, setting the stage for future accusations. The controversy escalated when Gabbard was nominated for the position of Director of National Intelligence under the Trump administration.
During this time, fellow Democrats, including Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, expressed concerns about Gabbard’s supposed ties to Russia. However, these allegations were made without presenting any concrete evidence to support their claims.
Clinton’s Comments and Their Impact
The controversy reached its peak in 2019 when Hillary Clinton made comments that were widely interpreted as accusing Gabbard of being a Russian asset. In a podcast interview, Clinton stated, “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.”
These comments, while not directly naming Gabbard, were widely interpreted as referring to her. However, it’s important to note that Clinton’s campaign later clarified that she meant Republicans, not Russians, were eyeing Gabbard for a third-party candidacy.
Gabbard’s Response and Ongoing Controversy
In response to these allegations, Gabbard filed a $50 million defamation lawsuit against Clinton, which she later dropped. The controversy has continued to simmer, with Gabbard repeating her interpretation of Clinton’s comments in her new book, “For Love of Country: Why I Left the Democratic Party.”
“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 noted.
Despite the clarifications and fact-checks, Gabbard’s book continues to push the narrative that Clinton directly accused her of being “groomed by the Russians.” This claim has been widely debunked, with The Washington Post awarding it three Pinocchios for significant factual errors.
Lack of Evidence and Media Response
Throughout this controversy, one fact remains clear: there is a distinct lack of evidence to support the allegations against Gabbard. The Associated Press, a respected news organization, has emphasized that claims of Gabbard being a “Russian asset” are “without evidence.”
This lack of concrete proof underscores the politically motivated nature of these accusations. It appears that Gabbard’s political decisions, particularly her endorsement of Sanders in 2016 and her criticism of establishment Democrats, may have made her a target for such unfounded allegations.
