As former President Donald Trump prepares for his upcoming debate with U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, he has enlisted the help of Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman. According to the New York Times, Gabbard joined Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate for practice sessions to help sharpen his debating strategies.
Gabbard, who left the Democratic Party after her 2020 presidential run, has become a notable figure among Trump’s supporters. She has even been considered as a potential running mate for Trump in the past. Her involvement in Trump’s debate prep is partly due to her strong performance against Harris in a 2019 Democratic primary debate, where she notably challenged Harris’s record as a prosecutor.
Karoline Leavitt, Trump’s spokeswoman, confirmed Gabbard’s role, highlighting that while Trump is a seasoned debater, he values insights from advisers like Gabbard, who successfully confronted Harris before.
Despite Trump’s claim that he doesn’t need traditional debate preparation, he has been spending more time on debate practice this year compared to previous election cycles. His preparations involve informal discussions and mock sessions at Mar-a-Lago with aides playing the roles of moderators and opponents.
Gabbard’s unique qualifications include being a woman, which is significant as Trump faces a female rival for the second time, and her past experience as a House member. Her prior debate with Harris focused on Harris’s record, including allegations of harsh policies on marijuana violations and obstructing justice in a death row case.
The debate between Trump and Harris is scheduled for September 10. Gabbard’s involvement reflects her strategic role in preparing Trump for this high-profile clash.
