Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign has received a notable endorsement from Tulsi Gabbard, a former congresswoman and 2020 Democratic presidential candidate who has since distanced herself from the party. On Monday, Trump and Gabbard appeared together on stage in Detroit, Michigan—a key swing state in the upcoming election.
Gabbard, 43, left the Democratic Party in 2022, criticizing it for what she described as an obsession with “wokeness.” Since her departure, she has become a prominent figure on Fox News, known for her outspoken critiques of both the Democratic establishment and the Biden administration. Her appearance with Trump on Monday was part of a commemoration of American service members who were killed in a 2021 suicide bombing at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan.
The tragic attack, which occurred as U.S. forces were executing a chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, claimed the lives of 13 American service members and over 100 Afghan civilians. The bombing took place amid the Taliban’s resurgence and marked a significant and controversial moment in the U.S. exit from the country. Trump, reflecting on the events, described the situation as a “humiliation” that severely damaged America’s global credibility and respect.
At the Michigan event, Gabbard made a direct appeal to voters across the political spectrum—Democrats, Republicans, and independents alike—urging them to support Trump in the upcoming election. She framed her endorsement as a necessary step to “save our country and serve the people,” emphasizing her belief that Trump’s leadership is essential for the nation’s future.
Gabbard’s endorsement marks a dramatic shift in her political trajectory. She began her career on the progressive left, serving as the first Hindu member of Congress and taking on roles such as vice-chair of the Democratic National Committee. However, her political alignment changed significantly over the years. After resigning from her DNC position to support Senator Bernie Sanders’ 2016 presidential bid, she ran for president herself in 2020. Her campaign focused on progressive issues like universal healthcare, free college education, and stricter gun control measures.
Despite her efforts, Joe Biden secured the Democratic nomination and won the presidency. Gabbard’s departure from the Democratic Party two years later was accompanied by sharp criticism of what she perceived as the party’s “cowardly wokeness.” Her subsequent praise for Trump, who is set to face off against Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election, represents a significant ideological reversal.
Gabbard has expressed concern about what she views as a threat to American democracy, attributing this danger to the prosecution of Trump by what she calls the left-wing establishment. Her stance has fueled speculation about her potential role in Trump’s campaign, with some suggesting she could have been considered as a running mate. However, that position ultimately went to JD Vance.
Since leaving the Democratic Party, Gabbard has become a fixture on Fox News, where her commentary has sometimes drawn criticism. Officials from Ukraine have accused her of disseminating Russian propaganda, reflecting the polarized reactions to her shift in political alignment.
Gabbard’s endorsement of Trump comes in the wake of another significant political development: Robert F. Kennedy Jr., another prominent Democratic figure who recently suspended his independent presidential campaign, also endorsed Trump. The endorsements from both Gabbard and Kennedy Jr. highlight a growing faction of Democratic dissidents who are now supporting the former president.
Top Democrats have been quick to dismiss Gabbard’s endorsement. Alex Floyd, the Rapid Response Director for the Democratic Party, criticized Trump for seeking support from individuals he described as extremists. “Rather than focusing on earning the support of hardworking Americans, Trump is more fixated on winning the backing of extremists like Gabbard and RFK Jr.,” Floyd said in a statement. “They’ll do nothing but weigh down his sinking ship of a campaign.”
As the 2024 election approaches, Gabbard’s endorsement of Trump underscores the shifting alliances and complex dynamics within American politics. Her transition from a progressive Democrat to a vocal supporter of Trump illustrates the increasingly fluid nature of political identities and allegiances in contemporary U.S. politics.
