Former U.S. Representative Tulsi Gabbard, a longtime Democrat from Hawaii before turning independent in 2022, said that she has decided to join the Republican Party.
Gabbard made the announcement while addressing the crowd at former President Donald Trump’s rally in North Carolina for a few minutes Tuesday evening, during which she praised the GOP presidential nominee for bringing the Republican Party “back to the party of the people and the party of peace.”
“To those of you here or those watching at home who are independent-minded people like myself, who love our country and are committed to the Constitution and to freedom, the Democratic Party has no home for people like us,” Gabbard said. “But we do have a home in the Republican Party where we are welcomed with open arms by President Trump.”
“I’m proud to stand here with you today, President Trump, and announce that I’m joining the Republican Party,” she added.
Gabbard, who ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020, endorsed Trump’s presidential bid in August, a little over a month after President Joe Biden stepped down from the race and Vice President Kamala Harris launched her campaign.
Trump said on Tuesday that he “didn’t know” Gabbard had decided to join the GOP, adding, “That was a surprise.”
“That was really … she’s been independent for a long time,” Trump told his rallygoers. “It’s a great thing, a great honor.”
This is a developing story and will be updated as further information becomes available.
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