Politics

Report: Cult Leader Allegedly Shaped Tulsi Gabbard's Congressional Career

Is Gabbard a dangerously controlled cult operative or an independent voice targeted by a smear campaign?

Published 22 hours ago

Report: Cult Leader Allegedly Shaped Tulsi Gabbard's Congressional Career

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Above: Tulsi Gabbard at the White House in Washington, D.C., on April 1. Image credit: Alex Brandon/Bloomberg/Getty Images

The Spin

Democratic narrative

Hundreds of memos show a reclusive cult leader directing Gabbard's legislation, TV talking points and tweets down to the exact word, and she followed them. Gabbard used scripted lines almost verbatim in 24 of 32 TV appearances analyzed, and introduced bills within weeks of receiving directives. Placing someone this deeply controlled by a secretive religious figure atop the CIA, NSA and FBI was a serious breach of public trust.

The New Republic The Washington Post

Republican narrative

Framing a Hindu politician's spiritual background as sinister "cult control" is textbook religious bigotry, and the sourcing here is a disgruntled former member who demanded $250,000 from the organization before handing over documents. Gabbard has always been the most independent voice in American politics, unbuyable and threatening to entrenched power — which is exactly why this hit piece exists. The establishment targets those it cannot control.

Meghan McCain on X The Times of India