J.A.JACKSON

Is Tulsi Gabbard the Face of the "New Bigot" in America?

Tulsi Gabbard has long defied political categorization. Once a Democratic rising star with a unique brand of anti-interventionist politics, she’s now found a home among conservative circles and MAGA influencers. But as her public persona continues to evolve, one question has started to gain traction in political discourse: Is Tulsi Gabbard the face of the “New Bigot” in America?

What Is the "New Bigot"?

The claim that Gabbard represents the “New Bigot” in American politics is, without question, a provocative and contentious accusation. However, it is not without context. The term "New Bigot" doesn’t refer to overt racism or hate speech in the traditional sense — rather, it characterizes individuals who espouse exclusionary, nationalist, or regressive policies while cloaking their positions in the language of patriotism, centrism, or anti-establishment sentiment.

Tulsi Gabbard’s trajectory — from progressive trailblazer to Fox News fixture — makes her an ideal case study for how such transformations can happen in modern American politics.

Criticisms That Align with the “New Bigot” Label

• Past Stances on LGBTQ+ Rights: Gabbard’s early political career included active involvement in her father’s anti-LGBTQ+ organization, which advocated against civil unions and same-sex marriage. While she has since apologized for those views, many LGBTQ+ activists remain skeptical, noting that her evolution coincided with a broader shift in public opinion — not necessarily a sincere personal reckoning.
• Promotion of Disinformation: Gabbard was widely criticized for repeating discredited claims about U.S.-funded biolabs in Ukraine — a narrative heavily promoted by Russian state media. Al Jazeera and other outlets highlighted the potential national security risks of echoing such propaganda. Prominent Republicans including Mitt Romney and former Representative Adam Kinzinger condemned her remarks, with Kinzinger calling her comments “traitorous.”
• Problematic Foreign Policy Stances: In 2017, Gabbard met with Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad during a controversial “fact-finding” trip. Critics, including Senator Tammy Duckworth, questioned her judgment and motives, with Duckworth labeling her “compromised.” Assad, a known war criminal and ally of Russia and Iran, was legitimized through Gabbard’s visit — an act many Democrats and security analysts saw as dangerous and irresponsible.

Tulsi Gabbard's Response

To her credit, Gabbard has defended herself from these accusations. She clarified — most notably in a follow-up post on X (formerly Twitter) — that “biolabs” and “bioweapons labs” are not the same thing, suggesting her earlier comments were misunderstood. She has also emphasized her military service and stated that she prioritizes peace and non-interventionism over party loyalty.

Changing Political Terrain: A Power Vacuum and a Cultural Shift

Her rise coincides with a broader social realignment. White suburban women — once key swing voters — have seen their cultural capital decline amid the rollback of DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) initiatives and reproductive rights. Meanwhile, many Black women, exhausted by decades of protest without meaningful political reciprocity, are stepping back from roles as frontline defenders of American democracy.

In this climate, Gabbard fills a void: a non-white, non-male voice lending legitimacy to regressive causes, cloaked in rhetoric of patriotism and freedom. She is, for some on the right, the perfect “post-racial” messenger for policies that hurt communities of color the most.

Speculation: The Looming Reckoning

But here’s the paradox: Gabbard’s proximity to power may also make her expendable. If Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” — which slashes Medicare, guts SNAP benefits, and closes rural hospitals — begins to backfire, the MAGA machine will need someone to blame. Should the Jeffrey Epstein documents unearth new legal or moral threats to Trump’s credibility, scapegoats will be in high demand. And history tells us that in times of political desperation, those who don’t truly belong to the inner circle are often thrown under the bus.

Tulsi Gabbard, for all her service and loyalty, may one day find herself on the wrong side of the populist mob she once sought to lead.

Conclusion

Is Tulsi Gabbard the face of the New Bigot in America? That depends on how one defines bigotry in the 21st century. If it includes denying rights under the guise of freedom, amplifying authoritarian propaganda while claiming patriotism, or enabling regressive power structures behind a non-white, female face — then she is, at the very least, emblematic of this new breed.

In the end, the “New Bigot” doesn’t wear a hood. They wear a flag. And they speak not in slurs, but in soundbites.