Donald Trump brings in Tulsi Gabbard for debate preparation with Kamala Harris

Former US President Donald Trump has brought in an unexpected ally — former Democratic congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard — in preparation for an upcoming debate against Vice President Kamala Harris. According to sources familiar with Trump's schedule cited by the New York Times, Gabbard recently participated in a practice session at Trump’s private club and residence, Mar-a-Lago.

Gabbard, who left the Democratic Party after her 2020 presidential bid and has since become a popular figure among Trump’s supporters, has maintained a cordial relationship with the former president. At one point, she was even considered as a potential running mate for Trump.

Her involvement in the debate preparations, which had not been previously disclosed, is partly due to her notable performance during a 2019 Democratic presidential primary debate, where she delivered a scathing critique of Harris on stage.

Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for Trump, confirmed Gabbard’s participation in an email to the New York Times.

Trump has "proven to be one of the best debaters in political history" and that he continues to consult with "respected policy advisers and effective communicators like Tulsi Gabbard", the spokesperson reportedly said.

Although Trump has often claimed he doesn’t need traditional debate preparation, sources cited by the NYT point out that he has been dedicating more time this year to such activities compared to his previous campaigns.

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Trump’s 2020 debate performance against Biden was widely regarded as a low point. However, Biden’s own struggles during their June debate this year eventually led to his withdrawal from the race. Trump’s team plans to adopt a similar preparation approach for his debate with Harris, which is scheduled for September 10.

What does it mean?

As a woman and a former House member, Gabbard brings a combination of gender representation and policy experience. Moreover, her previous clash with Harris during the 2019 debates, where she criticised Harris’record as a prosecutor, has provided Trump with a template for his own attacks.

(With inputs from agencies)