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Gino Bulsostoodby Gabrielle Hansonin 2023. Hesnotfitfor Congress Opinion

Gino Bulso Stood with Gabrielle Hanson. Now He's Pushing a Bill to Shield Politicians from 'Defamatory' Media

In the heated world of Tennessee politics, State Representative Gino Bulso has emerged as a staunch defender of embattled candidates, but his latest legislative move raises eyebrows about press freedoms and political accountability. Bulso, a Republican from Brentwood representing parts of Williamson County, found himself in the spotlight last year when he vocally supported Gabrielle Hanson, a fringe candidate for mayor of Franklin whose campaign unraveled amid allegations of ties to white supremacists, fabricated personal stories, and bizarre public antics. Now, Bulso is sponsoring a bill that would make it easier for public figures like politicians to sue news organizations for defamation, a proposal critics say could chill investigative journalism and protect controversial figures from scrutiny.

The saga began in the fall of 2023 during Franklin's mayoral race, a typically low-key contest in the affluent Nashville suburb known for its historic charm and conservative leanings. Hanson, a real estate agent and self-proclaimed "anti-establishment" outsider, entered the race with bold promises to shake up local government. But her campaign quickly devolved into a spectacle of scandals that captivated local and national media. Reports surfaced alleging that Hanson had posed for photos with members of the Illinois Nazi Party, a white supremacist group, during a Chicago Pride event where they were providing "security." Hanson denied any affiliation, claiming she was unaware of their ideologies and that the images were taken out of context. However, further investigations by outlets like The Tennessean and NewsChannel 5 revealed inconsistencies in her backstory, including claims of surviving homelessness and sex trafficking that couldn't be verified, as well as accusations that she had exaggerated her professional credentials.

Amid the mounting controversies, most local Republicans distanced themselves from Hanson. But not Gino Bulso. The freshman lawmaker, who had been elected to the Tennessee House in 2022 on a platform of conservative values and limited government, stood by her side. Bulso appeared at Hanson's campaign events, endorsed her publicly, and even defended her in media interviews. "Gabrielle is a fighter for the people," Bulso said in one statement, dismissing the allegations as "smears from the liberal media." He accused journalists of engaging in "character assassination" and suggested that the coverage was politically motivated to prop up the incumbent mayor, Ken Moore, who ultimately won reelection in a landslide.

Bulso's loyalty to Hanson didn't end with the election. In the aftermath, as Hanson's reputation lay in tatters—she finished with just 20% of the vote—Bulso turned his attention to the state legislature. This session, he introduced House Bill 2092, a measure that seeks to redefine defamation laws in Tennessee to favor plaintiffs who are public officials or candidates. Under current U.S. Supreme Court precedent established in the landmark 1964 case New York Times v. Sullivan, public figures must prove "actual malice"—that a news outlet knowingly published false information or did so with reckless disregard for the truth—to win a defamation suit. This high bar protects the press from frivolous lawsuits and encourages robust reporting on matters of public interest.

Bulso's bill aims to lower that threshold. It would allow politicians to sue for defamation if they can show that a story was "substantially false" and caused them harm, without needing to demonstrate malice. The proposal also includes provisions for expedited court hearings and potential damages, including attorney's fees, which could deter smaller news outlets from pursuing investigative stories due to the financial risks. Bulso has framed the bill as a necessary correction to what he calls "fake news" and "media bias," arguing that unchecked reporting destroys reputations and undermines democracy. "When the press acts as judge and jury, innocent people suffer," Bulso told colleagues during a committee hearing. He cited Hanson's case as a prime example, claiming that "defamatory" articles ruined her chances and inflicted personal damage.

Critics, however, see the bill as a direct retaliation against the media's role in exposing Hanson's controversies. Free speech advocates, including the Tennessee Press Association and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), have decried it as an assault on the First Amendment. "This legislation would make Tennessee a haven for SLAPP suits—strategic lawsuits against public participation—designed to silence critics and journalists," said Deborah Fisher, executive director of the Tennessee Coalition for Open Government. She pointed out that similar efforts in other states have been struck down by courts for violating constitutional protections.

The bill's origins trace back to Bulso's own experiences and alliances. As a lawyer by trade, Bulso has a background in civil litigation, which informs his approach to defamation reform. His support for Hanson wasn't isolated; it aligned with his broader political persona as a culture warrior. In the legislature, Bulso has championed bills restricting LGBTQ+ rights, including measures to ban gender-affirming care for minors and limit discussions of sexual orientation in schools. He was also involved in the expulsion proceedings against the "Tennessee Three"—Democratic representatives Justin Jones, Justin Pearson, and Gloria Johnson—who protested gun violence on the House floor following a Nashville school shooting. Bulso's hardline stances have made him a polarizing figure, admired by far-right conservatives but criticized by moderates for extremism.

Hanson's campaign provided a vivid backdrop for Bulso's grievances. Details from the race paint a picture of escalating absurdity. In one incident, Hanson claimed that a group of women protesting outside her home were "Antifa operatives" sent to intimidate her, though they turned out to be local residents upset about her alleged supremacist ties. She also accused a journalist of stalking her after he reported on her past as a model in lingerie ads, which contradicted her image as a conservative family values candidate. Bulso amplified these claims, suggesting in social media posts that the media was complicit in a "witch hunt."

Supporters of Bulso's bill argue that in an era of misinformation and declining trust in media, stronger protections are needed for individuals targeted by sensationalist reporting. "Politicians aren't punching bags," said one GOP colleague who co-sponsored the bill. "If the press gets it wrong, there should be consequences." Yet, data from press freedom organizations shows that defamation lawsuits against media are already rare successes due to the Sullivan standard, and weakening it could lead to self-censorship, especially in local newsrooms facing budget constraints.

As the bill advances through committees, it's drawing national attention. Legal experts warn that if passed, it could inspire copycat legislation in other red states, potentially reshaping the landscape of political journalism. For Bulso, the measure is personal. In interviews, he's reflected on the Hanson episode as a turning point. "I saw firsthand how lies can destroy a good person," he said. But detractors counter that the real issue isn't defamation—it's accountability. Hanson's own admissions and the evidence uncovered by reporters, they say, were what doomed her campaign, not media malice.

The debate underscores broader tensions in American politics: the clash between free speech and the right to reputation, especially when public figures court controversy. In Franklin, residents still whisper about the mayoral race that exposed fault lines in their community. Hanson has since faded from the public eye, but her alliance with Bulso lingers as a cautionary tale. Will Tennessee lawmakers side with Bulso's vision of fortified protections for politicians, or will they uphold the press's role as a watchdog? The outcome could reverberate far beyond the Volunteer State, influencing how stories like Hanson's are told—or silenced—in the future.

Bulso remains undeterred. At a recent town hall, he reiterated his commitment: "I'm fighting for truth and fairness. If that means taking on the media, so be it." As the legislative session progresses, all eyes are on Nashville, where the balance between power and the press hangs in the balance. This isn't just about one bill or one candidate; it's about the soul of democratic discourse in an increasingly divided nation.

Read the Full The Tennessean Article at:
[ https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/gino-bulso-stood-gabrielle-hanson-184212789.html ]