Tulsi Gabbard, the former Democrat congresswoman, has officially endorsed Donald Trump in his presidential campaign, marking a significant shift in her political trajectory. Gabbard, who left the Democratic Party in 2022 citing its “wokeness,” has become a prominent figure on Fox News since then.
On Monday, she joined Trump on stage in Detroit, Michigan, a crucial swing state, to honor U.S. service members who lost their lives in a suicide bombing in Afghanistan three years earlier. Gabbard criticized the Biden administration during the event, which was held in remembrance of the 13 U.S. service members and over 100 Afghans killed during the attack at Hamid Karzai International Airport as American troops withdrew from Afghanistan.
Trump characterized the withdrawal and subsequent chaos as a “humiliation” that harmed U.S. credibility worldwide. Earlier in the day, he and Gabbard paid respects at Arlington Cemetery.
Gabbard’s endorsement of Trump is notable given her past as a Democratic presidential candidate in 2020, where she advocated for progressive policies like universal healthcare and free college tuition. After Joe Biden secured the Democratic nomination, she departed the party, expressing concerns over its direction.
Her endorsement comes amidst significant political tension, with over 200 Republicans, including former staffers of past presidents and prominent senators, voicing their support for Trump’s competitor, Vice President Kamala Harris. Gabbard has warned of a threat to American democracy, specifically citing the legal actions against Trump by what she calls a left-wing movement.
Speculation has arisen about Gabbard potentially being considered as a running mate for Trump, although that spot has ultimately been filled by JD Vance. Critics, including top Democrats, have dismissed her endorsement as a sign that Trump is aligning with extremists rather than focusing on mainstream American voters.