Former Democrat Tulsi Gabbard joins Republicans, praises Trump at North Carolina rally

GREENSBORO, N.C. (TNND) — Former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard announced Tuesday, before Donald Trump and his supporters that she was joining the GOP, "the party of the people," and leaving the Democrats.

She made the major affiliation announcement during a rally in North Carolina, helping the former president hone his support in a key swing state for the election that's 13 days away.

Gabbard joined Trump's campaign in August along with fellow recent Democratic outsider Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who praised the 45th president's support for free speech and freedom.

The former lifelong Democrat criticized the current Democratic Party, pointing out Vice President Kamala Harris's stances on the border and war.

Today's Democrat Party is completely unrecognizable, which points to the clear choice that we have in this election today," Gabbard said at Tuesday's rally in Greensboro. "When you look at the party of Kamala Harris, for example, she is anti-freedom. She is pro-censorship, she is pro-open borders, and she is pro-war without even pretending to care about peace.

The now-Republican praised Trump and the party, echoing comments she made when she endorsed him at the National Guard Association conference earlier this year.

"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 and bring it back to the party of the people and the party of peace, that I'm proud to stand here with you today, President Trump, and announce that I'm joining the Republican Party," Gabbard said while standing a few feet away from Trump.

Gabbard represented Hawaii's 2nd District in Congress from 2013 through 2022 as a Democrat but left the party in 2022 and became an independent before this current affiliation shift.

Trump said he was "surprised" by Gabbard's remarks but welcomed them. He then went on to honor Kennedy at the rally.

"I want to thank him, because he sort of came in at the same time as Tulsi, an he's got some incredible thing on your health, on women's health, and all of the different elements. I may have to fight him a little bit on the environment because we have to, we have to run this country so well, but that's okay. But he's really an outstanding guy, and it was not an easy decision for him, certainly," Trump added.

Gabbard's announcement to switch parties comes after a slew of Republicans, including former Vice President Dick Cheney and his daughter Liz Cheney, endorsed Harris.