Tulsi Gabbard, Democratic Representative from Hawaii, is suing former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton over defamation. The suit regards remarks Hillary made about Gabbard’s connections to Russia.
Clinton has been on a tear recently. Just yesterday, an interview emerged where the former First Lady calls Bernie Sanders “unlikable,” causing a stir.
Gabbard’s suit relates to an October 2019 interview Clinton gave on a podcast with David Plouffe, a former Obama advisor.
Clinton, in that interview, claims that “someone” in the primary was being set up by Russia to become a “rogue” third party candidate. She strongly hints that it’s Gabbard she’s talking about.
During the interview Clinton states, “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,”
She adds that this candidate is “the favorite of the Russians.” Clinton then repeatedly claims that the person in question is a “Russian asset.”
When Clinton spokesperson Nick Merrill was asked if Clinton was referring to Gabbard, his retort was, “if the nesting doll fits.”
This is in reference to Russian Matryoshka dolls, which are often called nesting dolls in English.
Clinton takes a joking tone during the interview, but the defamation suit is no laughing matter. Gabbard seeks damages exceeding $50 million. She also demands a stop to the spread of the claims that she is a Russian asset.
Nick Merrill referred to the lawsuit as ridiculous. Many consider the suit to be a stretch, claiming it’s unlikely to even see trial.
However, political commentators note that the suit will increase Gabbard’s public profile ahead of the pivotal Iowa primary.
While Clinton’s statements about Gabbard may have been untrue, it would be difficult for Gabbard to win this case. She would first need to prove that the claims were false. Then, she would need to prove that Clinton was aware that they were false.
It is because of this strict requirement that defamation suits are often settled out of court, or dismissed altogether.
