By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-11-29 21:47:35 | Updated at 2024-11-29 23:42:24
2 hours ago
Tulsi Gabbard stirred excitement among MAGA supporters after sharing a heartfelt Thanksgiving message with her husband, Abraham Williams.
The 43-year-old posted an Instagram photo of the couple standing atop a cliff at sunset, wearing plate carriers and proudly raising an American flag.
'My heart is filled with gratitude - for God’s unconditional love, for the love and support of my family, for freedom and our great country. Happy Thanksgiving!!' her post reads.
Donald Trump’s recent nomination of Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence has sparked significant scrutiny, not only over her political views but also due to the intriguing presence of her New Zealand-born husband and their ties to a controversial spiritual movement.
Williams, a part-Māori, part-Samoan cinematographer and surfer, met Gabbard while volunteering for her 2012 congressional campaign.
Their mutual love of watersports led to a romance, culminating in a Hindu Vedic wedding in Hawaii in 2015, after Williams proposed during a sunset surf session with a ring taped to a flotation device.
Known for his laid-back demeanor and striking looks, Williams now focuses on creating content for Gabbard’s political ventures, earning media acclaim, with Marie Claire dubbing him the “coolest political spouse.”
Critics have focused on Gabbard’s unconventional political history, including perceived friendliness toward authoritarian figures like Vladimir Putin and Bashar al-Assad.
Tulsi Gabbard stirred excitement among MAGA supporters after sharing a heartfelt Thanksgiving message with her husband, Abraham Williams
The 43-year-old posted an Instagram photo of the couple standing atop a cliff at sunset, wearing plate carriers and proudly raising an American flag.
Her background has also drawn attention to allegations of ties to the Science of Identity Foundation (SIF), a secretive sect founded by Hawaii-based guru Chris Butler.
SIF, an offshoot of the Hare Krishna movement, has faced allegations of intolerance toward women, LGBTQ individuals, and Muslims.
Former members have described Butler as wielding near-divine authority within the group, likening it to a cult.
Gabbard, who served in Congress from 2013 to 2021 and gained national attention during her 2020 Democratic presidential bid, formally left the Democratic Party in 2022, citing dissatisfaction with its direction.
She officially joined the Republican Party earlier this year during a campaign rally with Trump.
Her nomination to succeed Avril Haines as DNI underscores her growing influence in conservative circles.
Donald Trump’s nomination of Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence has drawn scrutiny, not just for her political views but also for her New Zealand-born husband and their ties to a controversial spiritual movement
A vocal critic of what she calls the “weaponization” of the intelligence community, Gabbard has condemned its alleged misuse under President Joe Biden’s administration, particularly in actions targeting Trump and his allies.
Her nomination, while celebrated by her supporters, remains polarizing, as both Democrats and Republicans weigh her controversial past and shifting political alliances.
