Rep. Tulsi Gabbard did not back down amid continued attacks from Joy Behar when she appeared on “The View” to “set the record straight” on the “innuendos” being spread about her.

The Hawaii Democrat and 2020 presidential candidate confronted Behar on Wednesday during her appearance on ABC’s “The View,” pressing her about comments describing the 2020 contender as a “useful idiot” amid discussion about her being an agent of Russia.

“I’ve often said that Tulsi is sort of the Trojan horse in this. She’s polling at only 1.2 percent, yet she’s still in the race,” co-host Sunny Hostin said recently said about the lawmaker who serves in the Hawaii Army National Guard and was deployed to Iraq.

“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,” Behar had replied. “That they see something. They say, ‘Oh look, a useful idiot. Let’s play this.’”

Before answering a question put to her by co-host Whoopi Goldberg on Wednesday’s show, Gabbard set out to clear up some things, especially with Behar who sat right next to her.

“Some of you have accused me of being a traitor to my country, a Russian asset, a Trojan horse or … a useful idiot I think was the term that you used, which basically means that I am naive or lack intelligence,” Gabbard said as Behar interrupted.

“I want to let your viewers know exactly who I am,” the Democrat added, keeping calm with a steady smile throughout.

“I am a patriot. I love our country. I am a strong and intelligent woman of color, and I have dedicated almost my entire adult life to protecting the safety, the security and the freedom of all Americans in this country,” Gabbard added to applause.

Behar seemed unconvinced and interjected with her own nonsense.

“Franklin Graham finds you refreshing. He doesn’t find me refreshing. Richard Spencer, the white nationalist leader, says he could vote for you. You’re on Tucker Carlson at least ten times, why don’t you go on Chris Wallace‘s show?” she asked.

“This is why I’m here,” Gabbard replied. “Because you and other people continue to spread these innuendos that have nothing to do with who I am.”

As the segment with Gabbard continued, things continued to heat up between her and Behar who brought up topics that included Hillary Clinton’s comments about her and her frequent appearances on Fox News, as if that made the insults about her more understandable.

“It’s offensive to me as a soldier, as an American, as a member of Congress, as a veteran, and frankly as a woman, to be so demeaned in such a way,” Gabbard said after a video clip was played of Clinton’s remarks.

The talk show co-host did not seem to be hearing anything Gabbard was saying.

“I know Hillary Clinton thinks you’re a witting asset,” Behar said. “You might be unwitting. Not that that means you’re stupid, but people can be used.”

“That exactly what that means though,” Gabbard replied. “Let me start with how offensive it is to say that I’m a witting or unwitting asset of a foreign country, working against the interests of my country, a country that I am willing to lay my life down for. So if you are saying it’s not deliberately, then you are implying that I am too stupid and too naive and lack the intelligence to know what I am doing. And that is extremely offensive to me and to every woman of color.”

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Frieda Powers

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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.

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