Tulsi Gabbard embraces Trump at rally, sends crowd into a frenzy as she announces she’s turning Republican

GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA: Former Hawaii Democratic Rep Tulsi Gabbard announced on Tuesday, October 22, that she is joining the Republican Party, cementing her move away from the Democratic Party.

Gabbard had announced in 2022 that she was leaving the Democratic party to register as an Independent. In August 2024, she said she was endorsing former president Donald Trump and promised to do everything she could to secure his election, per the Daily Mail.

Tulsi Gabbard announces she is turning Republican

Announcing her conversion from Democrat to Republican, Tulsi Gabbard told the crowd at Donald Trump's rally in Greensboro, North Carolina, on Tuesday, "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 that I'm proud to stand here with you today and announce that I'm joining the Republican Party."

She added, "I'm joining the party of the people, the party of equality, the party that was founded to fight against and end slavery in this country."

Gabbard went on to say that the GOP and Trump were "the party of common sense and the party that is led by a president who has the courage and strength to fight for peace".

Gabbard and Trump then embraced on stage as the crowd cheered.

Donald Trump says Tulsi Gabbard's announcement was a 'surprise'

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said he was stunned by the announcement, which he had not known was coming.

A seemingly surprised Trump said, "Thank you very much, Tulsi, that's great wow. That was a surprise."

He went on to say that it was a "great honor" and a "beautiful speech".

Trump introduced Gabbard at the end of his speech, where he discussed Elon Musk's rockets and made remarks that Kamala Harris was on drugs during her '60 Minutes' interview, which he claims was edited, per the outlet.

Trump called Gabbard a "woman that everybody loves" who has "so much common sense".

Gabbard added that the Democratic Party, which she belonged to for more than 20 years, is now “completely unrecognizable".

The former Hawaii Democratic Rep had run for president as a Democrat in 2020 and ended up endorsing Joe Biden after she dropped out. 

She called Kamala Harris "anti-freedom" and "pro-censorship" and also criticized her recent foreign policy moves.

Gabbard said, "She is anti-freedom, she is pro-censorship, she is pro-open borders, and she is pro-war."

She added, "Without even pretending to care about peace, as President Trump talked about, she has shamelessly embraced the endorsement and support of warmongers like Dick Cheney, and Liz Cheney."

Internet divided as Tulsi Gabbard joins Republican Party

People on the internet had mixed reactions as Tulsi Gabbard announced that she was joining the Republican Party.

A user wrote on X, "We traded Cheney for Tulsi? That’s like trading roller skates for a Lamborghini."

Another added, "This is what real courage looks like: leaving the losers behind and joining the fight for America’s future!"

An online comment read, "This is the least shocking thing I’ve ever seen."

Another user mentioned, "Typical of @TulsiGabbard an irrelevant hack trying to stay relevant! Its actually quite funny."

A user also wrote, "It can't possibly get worse."

One commented, "Gross. She hit rock bottom."

A person added, "Just when you thought they couldn't get more cringeworthy."

A person said, "Massive win for Donald Trump. Great job Tulsi."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.