Tulsi Gabbard
Director of National Intelligence
Tulsi Gabbard garnered attention for her unconventional political trajectory and controversial affiliations. In 2020, she filed a defamation lawsuit against Hillary Clinton after Clinton suggested Gabbard was a "Russian asset" during the 2020 presidential campaign . Despite this, Gabbard has faced criticism for promoting content on her personal social media accounts that aligns with Russian propaganda, raising concerns about her stance on foreign influence.
Gabbard's upbringing in Hawaii was deeply influenced by the Science of Identity Foundation (SIF), a religious movement founded by Chris Butler, also known as Siddhaswarupananda Paramahamsa. The SIF is known for its strict teachings, including opposition to homosexuality and a focus on homeschooling and isolation from mainstream society. Her father, Mike Gabbard, was a prominent anti-LGBTQ+ activist who led the Alliance for Traditional Marriage and Values, advocating for policies to restrict same-sex marriage in Hawaii. These early influences have been cited as shaping her political views and affiliations, contributing to her complex and often contradictory public persona.
Gabbard sued Hillary Clinton for defamation when Clinton alluded to her being a Russian Asset
Groomed by the Russians
In her new book For Love of Country: Why I Left the Democratic Party, Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman and 2020 presidential candidate, revives a discredited claim that Hillary Clinton accused her of being “groomed by the Russians.” This allegation, which led Gabbard to briefly file a $50 million defamation lawsuit in 2020, is once again central to her narrative as she positions herself as a potential running mate for Donald Trump. The book blends memoir with pro-Trump rhetoric, attacks Democratic leaders, and pushes conspiracy theories about the “deep state” and media bias. Gabbard portrays herself as a victim of Democratic smears and falsely claims Clinton explicitly labeled her a Russian asset being groomed for a third-party run.
Clinton Never Named Gabbard
However, fact-checkers and media coverage from 2019 clarify that Clinton never directly named Gabbard. Instead, she speculated that Republicans were eyeing a current Democratic candidate for a third-party bid, noting that this person was supported by Russian bots—a comment widely understood to refer to Gabbard but not as explicitly as Gabbard claims. Clinton’s team later clarified the remark referred to GOP interest, not Russian grooming. Despite these clarifications and corrections from outlets like The Washington Post, Gabbard continues to present the narrative inaccurately in her book, which is light on policy and heavy on political grievances aimed at bolstering her new identity on the right.
Gabbard shared Russian propaganda on social media.
In March 2022, Tulsi Gabbard posted a video on Twitter (now X) claiming that U.S.-funded biolabs in Ukraine posed a serious threat, repeating a debunked conspiracy theory commonly pushed by Russian state media like RT. Despite being widely discredited by experts, Gabbard’s statements were quickly amplified by Russian propaganda outlets, which used her comments to legitimize and spread the false narrative. Her remarks have since become a tool in an echo chamber of disinformation, helping to bolster Kremlin messaging and misinformation about the war in Ukraine.
Tulsi Gabbard met with a Syrian dictator.
Jeopardize US Intelligence-Sharing Relationships
Mouaz Moustafa, executive director of the Syrian Emergency Task Force, warned that if Tulsi Gabbard is confirmed as Donald Trump’s director of national intelligence (DNI), it could jeopardize U.S. intelligence-sharing relationships with key allies. Moustafa, who has worked closely with the U.S. government on Syria, accuses Gabbard of sympathizing with Bashar al-Assad and repeating Russian and Iranian propaganda. He recounts meetings in which Gabbard showed indifference to Assad’s atrocities, including questioning whether Assad or ISIS was responsible for bombing Syrian civilians—despite clear evidence ISIS lacked the means to carry out airstrikes.
Reckless and Troubling
Moustafa also criticizes Gabbard's 2017 trip to Syria, during which she met with Assad, calling her actions reckless and deeply troubling. He says U.S. officials had to hide the identity of a high-level Syrian defector in 2018 due to fears Gabbard might compromise him. Moustafa argues that Gabbard’s worldview aligns more with U.S. adversaries than allies, making her unfit to lead the country’s intelligence community. He warns that her confirmation could prompt allies like the U.K., France, and Australia to stop sharing intelligence with the U.S., out of fear it could be leaked to hostile powers like Russia.
Gabbard has flipped her stance on LGBTQ+ rights.
Gabbard's father led the Alliance for Traditional Marriage
While serving as a Hawaii state legislator in 2004, Gabbard opposed civil unions for same-sex couples and labeled LGBTQ+ advocates as “homosexual extremists.” She also worked closely with her father, Mike Gabbard, a vocal anti-LGBTQ+ activist who led the Alliance for Traditional Marriage — a group that promoted conversion therapy and described homosexuality as “unhealthy” and “abnormal.” Gabbard later distanced herself from these views during her 2020 presidential run, apologizing publicly and claiming her perspective had changed due to experiences in the military. In Congress, she supported LGBTQ+ rights and earned high ratings from advocacy groups like the Human Rights Campaign.
"Don't Say Gay"
Gabbard’s more recent actions suggest a return to anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric. In 2020, she introduced a bill to ban transgender girls from competing in school sports with cisgender girls. In 2022, she praised Florida’s “don’t say gay” law and argued it didn’t go far enough, suggesting such restrictions should apply through 12th grade. She also accused educators of “indoctrinating” students with “woke sexual values.” Critics, including the Democratic National Committee, have warned that her appointment to lead U.S. intelligence agencies could undermine national security and alienate allies, pointing to her promotion of conspiracy theories, sympathy toward authoritarian leaders, and hostile positions on LGBTQ+ and civil rights issues.
Tulsi Gabbard was raised in the Science of Identity Foundation, which has been described by some as a cult.
Tulsi Gabbard was raised in Hawaii by parents who were devoted followers of the Science of Identity Foundation, a group founded in 1977 by Chris Butler, who she considers her "guru dev." The group, which has followers in several countries, is rooted in Vaishnavism and promotes yoga and well-being practices. Critics of the group, which has been described by some as a cult, point to Butler's demand for total loyalty from his followers, who serve him in various personal ways.
Butler's Teachings
Followers must adhere to strict lifestyle rules, including vegetarianism and abstaining from gambling, alcohol, drugs, and "illicit sex." Butler's teachings have been criticized for condemning homosexuality, expressing hostility towards Islam, and being skeptical of science. In the 1980s, he controversially linked bisexuality to pedophilia and bestiality.
Channeling Campaign Contracts
Gabbard, who attended a school run by Science of Identity disciples and worked in one of their health food stores, has been closely associated with the group throughout her life. Followers have contributed to her political campaigns, and she has been accused of channeling campaign contracts to vendors linked to the foundation. Some former members, like Anita van Duyn, have raised concerns that Gabbard is heavily influenced by Butler, who they claim has personal and political ambitions.