Former Democrat turned Independent Tulsi Gabbard, who served as the Democratic representative for Hawaii’s 2nd congressional district from 2013 to 2021, has announced her endorsement of former President Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential race against Vice President Kamala Harris. Gabbard left the Democratic Party in 2022, describing it as an “elitist cabal of warmongers.” She had previously run in the 2019 Democratic presidential primary against Harris, where she criticized the vice president for reportedly jailing hundreds of Californians for marijuana violations while openly discussing smoking the drug herself.
Gabbard recently joined Trump’s team to help with his debate preparation ahead of his face-off with Vice President Harris at the National Constitutional Center in Philadelphia. She has been an outspoken critic of the Democratic Party since switching her party affiliation, speaking at conservative events such as the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) and the Faith and Freedom Coalition Road to Majority Conference. The endorsement comes after former Democrat Robert F. Kennedy Jr. suspended his 2024 Independent presidential bid and threw his support behind Trump, citing legal warfare from the Democratic Party during his campaign.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. claimed in his withdrawal announcement that the Democratic Party had waged continuous legal warfare against both himself and President Trump, and labeled the party’s primary as a sham. Kennedy stated that he would be campaigning alongside Trump until the election. Gabbard’s endorsement of Trump further highlights the division within the Democratic Party, with prominent figures like Gabbard and Kennedy criticizing its leadership and policies. Gabbard’s decision to support Trump in the upcoming election reflects her dissatisfaction with the current Democratic leadership and aligns her with critics who believe the party’s priorities are disconnected from the needs of the American people.
Gabbard’s endorsement of Trump also underscores the shifting political landscape in the United States, with high-profile figures transitioning between parties and ideologies. Gabbard’s decision to support Trump, despite her past affiliations with the Democratic Party, illustrates the complexities and nuances of political alliances and beliefs. By aligning herself with Trump in the upcoming election, Gabbard is signaling her support for his policies and leadership, further contributing to the polarization in American politics. The endorsements of Gabbard and Kennedy highlight the challenges facing the Democratic Party, as it grapples with internal divisions and criticism from former members.
The endorsements of Gabbard and Kennedy are likely to have an impact on the 2024 presidential race, as they signal a shift in support away from the Democratic Party and towards Trump. These endorsements may influence undecided voters and further divide the electorate along party lines. Gabbard and Kennedy’s decision to support Trump reflects a broader trend of disillusionment with the Democratic Party and a growing affinity for conservative values and policies. As the election approaches, the endorsements of Gabbard and Kennedy will continue to shape the political landscape and influence the outcome of the race between Trump and Vice President Harris.
