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BumRushDaShow

(147,180 posts)
Wed Jan 29, 2025, 03:39 PM Jan 29

Tulsi Gabbard 'paid to mask connections' to alleged pyramid scheme tied to her childhood Hindu sect

Source: The Independent

Wednesday 29 January 2025 13:27 EST


Tulsi Gabbard’s campaign paid a firm to “mask connections” to an alleged pyramid scheme linked to a secretive sect she grew up in, according to a report. The Senate Intelligence Committee is set to grill President Donald Trump’s pick to serve as director of national intelligence on Thursday over her questionable connections and background.

Since she was named as nominee to the post, she has faced questions and pushback given her previous statements and her history with foreign nations. Lawmakers have been scrutinizing Gabbard’s ties to the Science of Identity Foundation and the Hong Kong-based marketing firm QI Group, the Wall Street Journal reports. Gabbard was raised in the secretive sect whose members pledge absolute loyalty to its reclusive guru, Chris Butler. The sect has long been tied to QI — accused of running a pyramid scheme in several countries.

Gabbard attended a Science of Identity boarding school in the Philippines and spent her formative years and schooling sheltered from outside influences, her late aunt told The Independent in 2022. According to the Journal, Gabbard’s campaign paid the PR firm Potomac Square Group, based in Washington D.C., to “mask the connections” between the sect, the marketing firm, and the politician.

But the clean-up was reportedly steered by a former follower of the sect — Sunil Khemaney — who is also a long-time political fundraiser to Gabbard and sits on the board of a QI subsidiary. Tulsi Gabbard is set to be grilled by the Senate Intelligence Committee on Thursday. But now reports of her ‘paid to mask connections’ to a sect in her past have come to light

Read more: https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/tulsi-gabbard-senate-hearing-sect-b2688454.html

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Tulsi Gabbard 'paid to mask connections' to alleged pyramid scheme tied to her childhood Hindu sect (Original Post) BumRushDaShow Jan 29 OP
Is every single one of these candidates a complete sociopath? Irish_Dem Jan 29 #1
I would think anyone who goes into "politics" BumRushDaShow Jan 29 #2
I read an interesting article many years ago. Irish_Dem Jan 29 #4
Or woman. Harker Jan 29 #5
The article was written decades ago. Irish_Dem Jan 29 #8
Ah. Harker Jan 29 #11
"There is a tragic flaw in our precious constitution, and I don't know what can be done to fix it. This is it: Only nut generalbetrayus Jan 29 #6
Ha, perfect. This is the short version of the academic journal article I read so long ago. Irish_Dem Jan 29 #9
Which is contrary to what Jimmy Carter stood for. Perhaps his lack of narcissm erronis Jan 29 #7
they still won't say what it is rampartd Jan 29 #3
Amy Coney Barrett cult redux. cbabe Jan 29 #10
This Cult Kid Berwyn Jan 29 #12

BumRushDaShow

(147,180 posts)
2. I would think anyone who goes into "politics"
Wed Jan 29, 2025, 03:45 PM
Jan 29

has some degree of it. We're seeing those at the extreme end of it.

Irish_Dem

(63,826 posts)
4. I read an interesting article many years ago.
Wed Jan 29, 2025, 03:53 PM
Jan 29

I cannot give you the citation.

The premise of the article was that anyone who seeks high office, especially the US presidency,
must have a high degree of narcissism. To think you can be the most powerful man in the world.
And to make life and death decisions.

So yes I think we see a lot of confidence in these politicians that goes into narcissism.
Some of it may be needed for the job. Being an insecure neurotic who is constantly fearful and
second guessing himself would not work out in the WH.

But yes we can see that some have enough confidence to do the job, and do it well.
Others cross over into mental illness and a personality disorder.

And yes to get elected to high office there needs to be some sociopathy. All that lying during the campaign,
taking off the books donations, etc.

Harker

(15,547 posts)
5. Or woman.
Wed Jan 29, 2025, 04:01 PM
Jan 29

There may be some common traits among presidential candidates, but I haven't yet voted for anyone who presented as narcissistic.

Irish_Dem

(63,826 posts)
8. The article was written decades ago.
Wed Jan 29, 2025, 04:05 PM
Jan 29

I am using the language of the author.

Most presidential candidates present as very confident.
We are discussing how and when the line is crossed into narcissism.

Harker

(15,547 posts)
11. Ah.
Wed Jan 29, 2025, 04:12 PM
Jan 29

I got the impression that the article to which you refer was painting all presidential candidates as highly narcissistic, and I'm not prepared to accept that.


generalbetrayus

(726 posts)
6. "There is a tragic flaw in our precious constitution, and I don't know what can be done to fix it. This is it: Only nut
Wed Jan 29, 2025, 04:02 PM
Jan 29

cases want to be president." — Kurt Vonnegut

Irish_Dem

(63,826 posts)
9. Ha, perfect. This is the short version of the academic journal article I read so long ago.
Wed Jan 29, 2025, 04:07 PM
Jan 29

Anyone who wants to be POTUS has to be crazy.

erronis

(17,760 posts)
7. Which is contrary to what Jimmy Carter stood for. Perhaps his lack of narcissm
Wed Jan 29, 2025, 04:05 PM
Jan 29

and personal humanity and humility is what frustrated the power brokers.

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