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Former Democratic presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard officially joined the Republican Party Tuesday night during a campaign event for President Donald Trump.
Gabbard made the announcement during Trump’s campaign rally in Greensboro, North Carolina.
“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 Democrat Party has no home for people like us,” Gabbard said.
“I’m proud to stand here with you today, President Trump, and announce that I’m joining the Republican Party,” she added.
Gabbard also posted a statement to her X account following the announcement to further detail the reasons behind her change to the Republican Party alongside Trump.
“For independent-thinkers like myself, there is no home in the Democrat Party. However, there is a home for us in the Republican Party,” Gabbard wrote.
“The Republican Party of warmongering elite Dick Cheney is in the past. Trump’s GOP is a big open tent party of the people, equality, commonsense, and the party that is led by a President who has the courage and strength to fight for peace,” she continued.
“Tonight I stood with President Trump and announced I am joining the Republican Party. President Trump is our best and only hope in this election to lead our country toward a future where every one of us can live in a truly free, peaceful, and prosperous nation. Now is the time for us to stand together, vote for Trump and save our country,” she concluded.
Gabbard previously served as a Democratic congresswoman in Hawaii from 2013 to 2021. She ran for president as a Democrat in 2020.
The Army veteran turned Independent following the 2020 election. During Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, Gabbard endorsed him for president.
Gabbard was later announced as a member of Trump’s transition team.
The former Hawaiian congresswoman is one of several former Democrats now endorsing Trump in 2024. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who ran as a Democrat during the 2024 presidential primaries before becoming and Independent, also endorsed Trump, joining him to Make America Healthy Again with his focus on children’s health.