2020 Democrat Tulsi Gabbard Files Defamation Lawsuit Against Hillary Clinton
Democratic presidential candidate sues HRC for smearing her as a 'Russian asset'
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Democratic presidential candidate Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) has filed a defamation lawsuit against Hillary Clinton, according to reports.
Gabbard announced Wednesday that she has filed the lawsuit against former Secretary of State Clinton over statements she made last year when she allegedly smeared the popular 2020 Democrat as a "Russian asset."
The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, alleges that Hillary “deliberately and maliciously made false statements in an attempt to derail Rep. Gabbard’s campaign.”
The filing was revealed in a press release issued by Gabbard’s office on Wednesday morning.
Clinton's comments at the center of the case were made in October during an episode of the “Campaign HQ” podcast, hosted by ex-Obama aide David Plouffe.
While Hillary didn't mention Gabbard by name during the interview, it was widely understood that she was referring to the Hawaii congresswoman.
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“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,” Clinton claimed.
“She’s the favorite of the Russians," she added, seemingly referring to Gabbard.
"They have a bunch of sites and bots and other ways of supporting her so far.”
Hillary went on to accuse her former rival Jill Stein, the 2016 presidential candidate for the Green Party, of also working with Russia.
“That’s assuming Jill Stein will give it up, which she might not because she’s also a Russian asset,” she declared.
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Shortly after Hillary made the remarks, Gabbard responded in a series of tweets.
She blasted Clinton as “the queen of warmongers, embodiment of corruption, and personification of the rot that has sickened the Democratic Party for so long.”
Great! Thank you @HillaryClinton. You, the queen of warmongers, embodiment of corruption, and personification of the rot that has sickened the Democratic Party for so long, have finally come out from behind the curtain. From the day I announced my candidacy, there has been a ...
— Tulsi Gabbard 🌺 (@TulsiGabbard) October 18, 2019
The Democratic lawmaker went on to accuse the former secretary of state of orchestrating a smear campaign along with “powerful allies in the corporate media and war machine.”
Gabbard then challenged Clinton to enter the 2020 contest, refering to rumors Hillary is preparing her own presidential run.
... concerted campaign to destroy my reputation. We wondered who was behind it and why. Now we know — it was always you, through your proxies and ...
— Tulsi Gabbard 🌺 (@TulsiGabbard) October 18, 2019
... powerful allies in the corporate media and war machine, afraid of the threat I pose.
— Tulsi Gabbard 🌺 (@TulsiGabbard) October 18, 2019
It’s now clear that this primary is between you and me. Don’t cowardly hide behind your proxies. Join the race directly.
"It’s now clear that this primary is between you and me,” Gabbard asserted.
"Don’t cowardly hide behind your proxies.
"Join the race directly.”
Gabbard seeks an injunction against the former first lady along with compensatory damages.
