Tulsi Gabbard Endorses Trump: Why the Former Hawaii Democrat Supports Him

Tulsi Gabbard Officially Endorses Donald Trump’s Presidential Campaign

Donald Trump's 2024 presidential campaign has gained an official endorsement from Tulsi Gabbard, the former congresswoman who once sought the Democratic nomination for president in 2020. Gabbard, who distanced herself from the Democratic Party in 2022, joined Trump on stage in Detroit, Michigan, a crucial swing state.

Gabbard, 43, left the Democratic Party, citing its "wokeness," and has since become a frequent and outspoken commentator on Fox News. Her endorsement of Trump marks a significant shift from her earlier political career, which included advocating for liberal policies like government-run healthcare and gun control.

While Gabbard has thrown her support behind Trump, over 200 Republicans who served under previous administrations have endorsed Trump's rival, Vice President Kamala Harris. In an open letter, former staffers for George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush, and Senators John McCain and Mitt Romney warned that another Trump administration would pose a threat to American democracy.

Gabbard and Trump appeared together to honor U.S. service members who were killed in a suicide bombing at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul during the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. Trump called the incident a "humiliation" that damaged America's global credibility. Earlier in the day, Gabbard and Trump also visited Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia to pay respects to those who lost their lives in the attack.

During her appearance in Michigan, Gabbard urged Americans from all political backgrounds to support Trump in the upcoming election, framing it as a crucial decision for "saving our country and serving the people." Her endorsement represents a notable political evolution, having started her career on the progressive left of the Democratic Party before becoming a prominent supporter of Trump.

Despite speculation that Gabbard might be considered as Trump's running mate, that role ultimately went to JD Vance. Gabbard's departure from the Democratic Party and her subsequent endorsement of Trump have sparked criticism, with some accusing her of promoting "Russian propaganda."

Her support for Trump comes just days after another Democratic defector, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., suspended his independent presidential campaign and endorsed Trump. Top Democrats quickly dismissed Gabbard's endorsement, with the party's Rapid Response Director, Alex Floyd, stating that Trump is more focused on gaining the support of "extremists" like Gabbard and RFK Jr. rather than addressing the needs of everyday Americans.