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

In August 2024, Tulsi Gabbard said she was endorsing Trump and promised to do everything she could to secure his election
PUBLISHED OCT 23, 2024
Tulsi Gabbard announced she is joining the Republican Party and praised GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump (Getty Images)
Tulsi Gabbard announced she is joining the Republican Party and praised GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump (Getty Images)

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."

GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 22: Former U.S. Representative from Hawaii Tulsi Gabbard speaks as Republican party as Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump listens at a campaign rally at the Greensboro Coliseum on October 22, 2024 in Greensboro, North Carolina. With 14 days to go until Election Day, Trump continues to crisscross the country campaigning to return to office. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Tulsi Gabbard hailed Donald Trump as a 'president who has the courage and strength to fight for peace' during a campaign rally on October 22, 2024, in Greensboro, North Carolina (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

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".

GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 22: Former U.S. Representative from Hawaii Tulsi Gabbard and Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump embrace during a campaign rally at the Greensboro Coliseum on October 22, 2024 in Greensboro, North Carolina. With 14 days to go until Election Day, Trump continues to crisscross the country campaigning to return to office. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Donald Trump said he was stunned by Tulsi Gabbard's announcement that she was joining the Republican Party (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

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.

MORE STORIES

After likening Trump’s immigration tactics to Nazi Germany, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker denied ever comparing him to Adolf Hitler
2 days ago
Melania Trump reportedly distanced herself from President Donald Trump’s East Wing renovation, privately questioning the historic demolition, WSJ reports
2 days ago
Donald Trump expressed willingness to work with Democrats while noting that the Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare, has 'been terrible'
4 days ago
Trump also brought up an incident from 30 years back when Mikie Sherrill was not allowed to participate in her graduation ceremony
5 days ago
Bernie Sanders said, 'So long as we have nation-states, you’ve got to have borders. If you don’t have any borders, then you don’t have a nation'
5 days ago
John Fetterman told Sean Hannity he’s fed up with his party painting Republicans, and especially Trump, as racists, Nazis, or fascists
7 days ago
George Santos says Zohran Mamdani's takeover of City Hall would turn New York City into a 'very dangerous place'
Oct 22, 2025
Chuck Schumer said that things are getting worse every day for the American people
Oct 22, 2025
Robert De Niro said Trump 'is not going to leave the White House' and urges Americans to 'strap on their balls and do something about it'
Oct 20, 2025
The new aircraft is to be used to replace an older plane flown by Kristi Noem
Oct 20, 2025