MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: Bill Maher questioned Tulsi Gabbard about her support for former President Donald Trump in the current election cycle during her recent appearance on 'Overtime'. 

Trump and President Joe Biden are heading toward a rematch after a series of primary wins across the country. 

Gabbard, who ran for president in 2020 as a Democrat before leaving the party in 2022, has since shown support for Trump and was touted to be one of his potential VP picks for the 2024 election. 

Bill Maher and guest Chris Matthews confront Tulsi Gabbard over her support for Donald Trump

During her appearance on the show on Friday, June 28, Gabbard faced questions from Maher and guest political commentator Chris Matthews about her backing of the former president, especially considering Trump's refusal to accept the results of the 2020 election.

"Trump did not admit he lost the election in 2020...You have to say, 'I lost' because that makes the system work," said Matthews.

Subsequently, Maher turned to Gabbard and noted, "That's a good question for you."

Gabbard responded, "I disagree with you. I think there are very serious issues that a lot of these swing voters who are still undecided are considering as they look at the Biden administration's policies and the policies that will continue whether it's Joe Biden or someone else replacing him." 

"Whether it is issues like border security or the insanity around the destruction of Title IX, the rejection of boy is a boy and girl is a girl, looking at safety in their communities," added the former representative. 

She continued, "I want to point to the most important one that came through the debate last night was when Joe Biden said, 'The only existential threat to humanity is climate change' ... The true existential threat to humanity is the fact that we are closer to nuclear holocaust now than we ever have been before."

Tulsi Gabbard invokes Hillary Clinton while dodging question on Donald Trump rejecting 2020 election results

Maher interjected, pressing Gabbard once more about her support for Trump and questioning whether she should back someone who can't admit he lost the election.

The former Democrat responded, "What you've heard from Trump is the same thing you've heard from Hillary Clinton."

The specific statement Gabbard referenced from Clinton is unclear. However, in a 2017 NPR interview, Clinton mentioned she "would not" rule out questioning the legitimacy of the 2016 presidential election, citing Russian interference as a concern.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) special counsel Robert Mueller conducted an investigation, concluding that Russia attempted to aid Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign.

However, Mueller found no evidence of conspiracy between Trump’s team and Moscow. Russia denied the interference allegations, and Trump called the Mueller report a "complete and total exoneration."

Maher countered Gabbard's points, asserting, "That's over there, Tulsi," before presenting a statement affirming the security of the 2020 election. Gabbard interrupted, highlighting Trump’s remarks during Thursday’s debate about accepting a "free and fair" election.

Maher replied, "I just read it to you! This was a free and fair one, so he obviously doesn't admit that he's lost when it's free and fair. Why would it be different this time?"

This discussion follows Trump’s August 2023 indictment by the DOJ on four charges related to the January 6, 2021, Capitol Hill insurrection, which was apparently driven by the former president's unfounded claims of widespread voter fraud, aimed to prevent Congress from certifying Biden’s 2020 election victory.

Trump pleaded not guilty, asserting that the charges were politically motivated.

Internet reacts to Tulsi Gabbard's responses regarding her support for Donald Trump

Maher's viewers weren't pleased with Gabbard's responses, while some accused her of seeking attention. 

One netizen said, "Tulsi Gabbard, like Trump, likes attention regardless of the validity of her opinions on politics. In her mind, Mission Accomplished," and another wrote, "I wonder how much they promised her to support the same old lies. She is aware that they don't pay their bills, right?"

"She's so desperate she has to be interviewed by a comedian," joked a person, whereas someone else added, "What a narcissist! Even gives Trump a run for his money!"

"Tulsi Gabbard has been on Putin's payroll for years. Hillary Clinton warned us about her being compromised back in 2019," claimed an individual, with one more saying, "Gabbard is an enemy of the US just like her master CONVICTED FELON Donald Trump who is literally out on bail for conspiring a COUP to steal my vote and Biden's election." 

Another person said, "I saw that. She makes no sense at all. It was like listening to an 8 year old sniping, 'But Hillary. . . '. You see, at 8 one does not quite get the notion of false equivalency. Fontanel hasn't even firmed up yet. Of course 8 year olds have an excuse. Tulsi, not so much." 

This article contains remarks made on the internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.