Alleged Spiritual Guidance Influencing Tulsi Gabbard’s Congressional Record

In June 2026 a rumor claimed former Representative Tulsi Gabbard acted under direction from Chris Butler, leader of the Science of Identity Foundation (SIF). The claim comes from a June 21 Washington Post report by Jon Swaine that cited thousands of memos allegedly authored by Butler’s former secretary, Rebecca Saltzburg, directing Gabbard on legislation, statements, and media appearances.

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Gabbard grew up in SIF, an offshoot of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, and identifies as a Hindu. The New Yorker reported the family’s 1983 affiliation with Butler; Gabbard later called the piece a “smear article” and, in a 2019 Washington Post interview, thanked Butler for spiritual guidance while denying political mentorship.

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• 1983 – Gabbard family joins SIF circle around Butler.

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• 2011-2017 – Saltzburg’s alleged memos created; 32 TV interviews (2014-2016) later compared to them.

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• June 21 2026 – Washington Post publishes Swaine’s report.

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• June 2026 – Snopes unable to verify memo authenticity.

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The Post article says Saltzburg supplied 25,000 pages of documents, with hundreds of memos from 2011-2017. Swaine reported Gabbard’s wording matched memo language “almost verbatim” in 24 of 32 (75 %) televised interviews from 2014-2016; memos allegedly directed legislation and social-media posts.

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Gabbard denied influence from Butler, calling him a spiritual teacher and labeling New Yorker story a smear. A SIF spokesperson accused Saltzburg of attempting to extort $250,000 and called her a “malicious liar.” Snopes could not obtain the alleged memos or corroborating testimony, leaving the claims unverified.

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Former SIF members described the group’s culture as authoritarian, citing devotees prostrating before Butler. The Post alleged SIF created fake online accounts to champion Gabbard. Saltzburg’s credibility was questioned, with the report noting her “messier” history.

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The core dispute pits the memo-based allegations reported by the Washington Post against Gabbard’s categorical denials. No independent verification of the memos exists, and no witnesses have corroborated the alleged instruction chain, leaving the claim unsubstantiated.

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• “I can speak to my own personal experience and, frankly, my gratitude to him, for the gift of this wonderful spiritual practice that he has given to me, and to so many people.” — Tulsi Gabbard, former Congresswoman

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• “ When asked if she received political mentorship from Butler, Gabbard said, "No, no, not at all.” — Tulsi Gabbard, responding to whether Butler provided political mentorship

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No formal investigation into the alleged memo chain has been announced. Snopes said it will update its assessment if new evidence emerges, and further reporting may seek independent verification of the documents.

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