Tulsi Gabbard promotes Kremlin propaganda network RT

In recent months, Tulsi Gabbard, the former Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii, has faced scrutiny over her foreign policy views, particularly regarding Russia. Allegations have emerged suggesting that Gabbard has been a committed consumer of the Kremlin-backed news network RT. Former aides indicated that she continued to engage with content from RT even after being warned about its unreliability as a news source. Critics have raised concerns about Gabbard's loyalty to the United States, questioning if her stance towards Russia aligns more closely with its interests than with those of the U.S., particularly as evident from her evolving views on conflicts in Ukraine. In 2014, Gabbard advocated for significant military aid for Ukrainian forces in response to Russia's annexation of Crimea, emphasizing the need for the U.S. to take action against Russian aggression. However, by 2017, her perspective appeared to shift, as she expressed in a memo claiming that the hostility of the U.S. and NATO towards Russia could be provoking aggressive behaviors from Moscow. During this period, Gabbard also lamented the lack of any assurance that the U.S. government would refrain from attempting to destabilize Russia. This transformation in her stance coincided with her departure from the Democratic Party in 2022 and her subsequent alignment with Republican ideologies, culminating in her formal entry into the Republican Party in October. Observers have noted that Gabbard's perspectives increasingly align with narratives often propagated by Russian state media, leading some, including Democratic lawmakers, to insinuate that she may even be acting as a Russian asset, despite her own denials. The shift has sparked significant debates around her political allegiance and the implications of her media consumption habits. The background concerns regarding RT stem from assessments by the State Department, which has labeled the network as a propaganda arm of the Kremlin. Reports have indicated that RT has been involved in information operations and has engaged in efforts that extend beyond traditional news reporting, including cyber capabilities and influence operations. Such revelations raise critical questions about the sources of information that political figures like Gabbard rely upon, especially as they navigate complex geopolitical landscapes that demand a nuanced understanding of international relations.