Former U.S. Representative and Democratic presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard has officially joined the Republican Party, announcing the decision at a rally for Donald Trump in Greensboro, North Carolina, on Tuesday night. Held in a critical swing state, the rally marked Gabbard’s formal alignment with the GOP, following her departure from the Democratic Party in 2022.
Gabbard’s shift comes after she had already been serving as an honorary co-chair for Trump’s transition team, alongside former Democrat Robert F. Kennedy Jr., another notable figure who has transitioned away from the Democrat Party. Gabbard praised Trump’s leadership and vision for the Republican Party, highlighting her support for the direction in which he has steered the GOP. In her remarks at the rally, she emphasized that she saw Trump as restoring the Republican Party to its roots, describing it as a “party of the people” and “a party of peace.”
During the event, Gabbard expressed pride in her decision to join the Republican Party, describing it as a party committed to equality and a legacy of fighting against injustice, and also noted that the Republican Party represented her values of common sense and national unity. She also commended Trump for his courage and dedication to fighting for peace and stability, which she cited as key factors in her decision to join the GOP.
Trump, taken by surprise by Gabbard’s announcement, warmly welcomed her to the party and expressed his appreciation for her support. He noted her long-standing independent stance and recognized her as a valuable addition to the Republican movement.
Significant milestones have marked Gabbard’s political journey, as she served as the vice chair of the Democratic National Committee from 2016 to 2023 before resigning to endorse Senator Bernie Sanders during the 2016 presidential race. As a Democratic presidential candidate in 2020, Gabbard gained national attention for her exceptional debating skills with fellow candidate Kamala Harris. Gabbard received a loud applause when she ripped the record of Kamala Harris on criminal prosecutions stating that it disproportionately affected minorities.
Despite running as a Democrat in 2020, Gabbard distanced herself from the party over the years, eventually leaving it in 2022, and has since focused on media appearances and conservative events, hosting her own podcast, and becoming more active in political commentary, particularly on issues relating to freedom, national security, and foreign policy.
Gabbard, who represented Hawaii’s Second Congressional District from 2013 to 2021, continues to serve as a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves. Her decision to join the Republican Party marks a significant realignment in her political career and adds a new dimension to the shifting landscape of the 2024 presidential election.
