Candidate Marianne Williamson hit by claims of ‘foaming, spitting rage’

Marianne Williamson called the descriptions of her behaviour ‘slanderous’ and ‘categorically untrue’. Photograph: Cj Gunther/EPA

Less than two weeks into her second campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination, the self-help author Marianne Williamson was hit by claims her public message of love and compassion is undermined by behind-the-scenes behavior including “foaming, spitting, uncontrollable rage”.

Speaking to Politico, 12 former staffers painted a picture of unpredictable anger, tending toward verbal and emotional abuse, beneath the bestseller’s promotion of spiritual calm.