Joy Behar says Russia is using Tulsi Gabbard because she's a 'useful idiot'
Joy Behar didn’t hold back during a conversation about Rep. Tulsi Gabbard on Monday’s episode of “The View,” calling the presidential candidate a “useful idiot.”
Her comment came after Hillary Clinton revealed that she believes there’s a democratic candidate who is a “favorite of the Russians.” Though Clinton didn’t specifically name Gabbard, many have pointed at the congresswoman as the target of her accusations.
“I don’t say that Tulsi is an agent. I just think that she could be a useful idiot the way Trump is a useful idiot to the Russians,” said Behar. “They see something and they say, ‘Oh look, a useful idiot! Let’s play this!’” she added.
Behar also accused the Republican party of turning a blind eye to Russian interference because they know they need it to win in 2020. “The Republican party knows that they cannot win without interference from Russia and maybe voter suppression. They cannot win,” said Behar.
Gabbard fired back at Clinton on Twitter:
Hillary & her gang of rich, powerful elite are going after me to send a msg to YOU: “Shut up, toe the line, or be destroyed.” But we, the people, will NOT be silenced. Join me in taking our Democratic Party back & leading a govt of, by & for the people! https://t.co/TOcAOPrxye pic.twitter.com/TahfE2XOek
— Tulsi Gabbard (@TulsiGabbard) October 20, 2019
Viewers on Twitter were split, with many saying Behar’s comments were out of line:
@TheView Unbelievable take from a bunch of "know nothing", "done nothing", "hate mongering", cannot believe you all have a daily forum: ‘The View’ Doubles Down on Hillary Clinton’s Tulsi Claim: She’s a ‘Useful Idiot’
— JLM (@JLM1955) October 21, 2019
@JoyVBehar you & @sunny are useless idiots you could not hold a candle to @TulsiGabbard she has more class in her little finger then you would ever have. way to empower other women. #Tulsi2020
— lighthousebeam (@sasclancy) October 21, 2019
.@TheView is blaming the russians for dividing the democratic party lolol the @DNC is culpable for that, nobody else.
— 🦇?? 𝔴𝔢𝔢𝔡𝔠𝔞𝔱 𝔦𝔫 𝔞 𝔠𝔬𝔣𝔣𝔦𝔫 ??🦇 (@weedcaat) October 21, 2019
Others loved hearing Behar call it like she sees it, and applauded Clinton for candor:
Agree 💯 with a Joy & Sunni about Tulsi. She’s, at minimum, an odd bird with a seemingly misplaced interest in Assad/Russia. She was highly critical of Obama’s foreign policy. I often wondered why but think now we know. Hillary was right about Trump’s being a Putin Puppet, too.
— @LonghornLeah (@LonghornLeah) October 21, 2019
"Useful idiot" I love Joy. She's so funny.
— Ally (@asdfhoof) October 21, 2019
If she isn’t an actual Russian asset, Tulsi Gabbard is really doing a good job of playing the part; perhaps this is just for Halloween?
— David conte (@daveconte1971) October 21, 2019
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