After weeks of speculation former U.S. House Representative for Hawaii and Democratic presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard has made it official.
She is officially joining the Republican Party.
After endorsing former president Donald Trump two months ago, the former Democratic presidential candidate announced last night she has joined the Republican Party as she continues campaigning for Trump.
With just two weeks out from the very close November election, Gabbard’s move made headlines.
Take a look —
Tulsi Gabbard officially joins the Republican Party.pic.twitter.com/kLLQ6Cp9Wp
— The American Conservative (@amconmag) October 23, 2024
Gabbard left the Democratic Party after decades to become an independent in October 2022 but endorsed Trump in August along with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., also a Democrat-turned-independent.
“It is because of my love for our country and specifically because of the leadership that President Trump has brought to transform the Republican Party,” Gabbard said at a Trump rally in Greensboro, N.C., “that I’m proud to stand here with you today, President Trump, and announce that I’m joining the Republican Party.”
“I’m joining the party of the people, the party of equality, the party that was founded to fight against and end slavery in this country,” she said about her decision. “It is the party of common sense and the party that is led by a president who has the courage and strength to fight for peace.”
The news not only shocked the crowd, but also Trump who after her speech said he “didn’t know” that Gabbard had decided to join the Republican Party.
“Thank you very much, Tulsi. That’s great. Wow, that was a surprise,” said Trump about her announcement. “That was really, she’s been independent for a long time. That’s a great thing. A great honor. Thank you very much, Tulsi.”
The buildup to Gabbard officially joining the Republican Party has been in the works — at least on the surface.
Gabbard advised Trump ahead of his one-on-one debate with Vice President Kamala Harris in September.
Gabbard herself once debated Harris, pointing out her record on criminal prosecutions as a California prosecutor, in a 2019 exchange that went viral.
“She put over 1,500 people in jail for marijuana violations and then laughed about it when she was asked if she ever smoked marijuana,” Gabbard said of Harris then. “She blocked evidence that would have freed an innocent man from death row until the courts forced her to do so. She kept people in prison beyond their sentences to use them as cheap labor for the state of California, and she fought to keep [a] cash-bail system in place that impacts poor people in the worst kind of way.”
Gabbard has recently slammed her former party and Harris for being “anti-freedom,” “pro-censorship,” “pro-open borders,” and “pro-war.”
She also criticized Harris for “shamelessly” accepting endorsements from “warmongers” like former Republicans Dick and Liz Cheney, and said that a second Trump presidency represents peace.
Prior to her role on Trump’s campaign, Gabbard fomerly represented Hawaii’s 2nd District in Congress from 2013 through 2021 as a Democrat.
Gabbard served as a vice chair of the Democratic National Committee from 2013 through 2016 before resigning to officially endorse Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-V.T., for president.
She currently serves in the U.S. Army Reserves with the rank of lieutenant colonel.