US presidential election 2024: Tusli Gabbard, ex-Democratic presidential primary candidate, joins Republican Party at Donald Trump rally in North Carolina

Former US Congresswoman and 2020 Democratic presidential ticket candidate Tulsi Gabbard officially joined the Republican Party at 78-year-old Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s campaign rally in Greensboro, North Carolina, a battleground state. Gabbard, who left the Democratic Party in 2022, had previously endorsed Trump’s presidential bid in August 2024.

The Trump rally, held in the swing state, marked her complete separation from the Democratic Party she sought to represent just four years earlier.

Gabbard, 43, who recently joined Trump’s campaign as an honorary co-chair for his transition team alongside Robert F Kennedy, another former Democrat, cited her admiration for Trump’s leadership in transforming the Republican Party.

“I’m proud to stand here with you today, President Trump, and announce that I’m joining the Republican Party. I am joining the party of the people,” Gabbard said during the rally. “The party of equality. The party that was founded to fight against and end slavery in this country. 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.”

Donald Trump, immediately after Gabbard joined the team, expressed surprise and then praised her for the move.

“Thank you very much, Tulsi. That’s great. Wow, that was a surprise,” said Trump. “That was really, she’s been independent for a long time. That’s a great thing. A great honour. Thank you very much, Tulsi.”

Gabbard, in her political career, served as a vice chair of the Democratic National Committee from 2013 to 2016 before stepping down to support Senator Bernie Sanders in the 2016 race to the White House.

Gabbard, as a Democrat, also represented Hawaii’s Second District in Congress from 2023 to 2021. She also served in the US Army Reserves with a rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Gabbard, who ran in the 2020 Democratic presidential primaries, gained attention for her sharp criticism of Kamala Harris, the 2024 Democratic presidential candidate, particularly for Harris’ prosecutorial record in California during a debate, Fox News reported.

After leaving the Democratic Party in 2022, Gabbard became an independent, hosting her own podcast and speaking at conservative events.