Former Dem Rep. Tulsi Gabbard announces she’s joined Republican Party at Trump rally

GREENSBORO, NC — Former Democratic Hawaii Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, who has been hitting the campaign trail for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, has officially crossed the aisle.

“The Democrat Party has no home for people like us, but we do have a home in the Republican Party — where we are welcomed with open arms by President Trump and so many of you who love our country,” Gabbard, who switched to independent after she ran for president in 2020, to told the crowd at Trump’s Tuesday night rally in Greensboro, NC.

“And 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, with President Trump, and announce that I’m joining the Republican Party,” the 43-year-old declared.

Trump, 78, later noted that he was not expecting Gabbard’s announcement.

“Wow, that was a surprise,” the former president said, calling it a “great honor” to have influenced Gabbard to join the ranks of the GOP.

There are 16 Electoral College votes up for grabs in North Carolina in November.

Trump leads Vice President Kamala Harris in the state by less than a percentage point, according to the latest RealCelarPolitics average of polls.