US presidential election: Tulsi Gabbard joins Trump campaign. Who is she?

Former USCongresswoman and 2020 Democratic presidential hopefulTulsiGabbard on Monday (Aug 26)joined Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's campaign, just months ahead of the presidential election in the country.

Gabbard, former vice chair of the National Democratic Party, received warm praise from Trump as he welcomed her to the stage at an event in Detroitwhere she endorsed him.

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"And today, I'm honoured to officially welcome another true American patriot, a 17-year veteran of the Hawaii Army National Guard, a four-term Democrat congresswoman, very, very popular. The former vice chair of the National Democratic Party and a 2020 Democrat candidate for the United States presidency," Trump said as he addressed theNational Guard Association Conference in Detroit.

"You know, she was a very good candidate. Every time she ran, she was good. She did well. She decided to leave, she couldn't take it anymore. But she's very special," he added.

Who is Tulsi Gabbard?

Tulsi Gabbard, 43, was born on April 12, 1981, inLeloaloa, Maʻopūtasi County, on American Samoa's main island of Tutuila. She has a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Business Administration from Hawaii Pacific University. She is a practising Hindu.

Gabbard served in the armed forces. In 2003, she joined the Hawaii Army National Guard and was deployed to Iraq from 2004 to 2005.

She left the National Guard as a Major in 2017 and then went on to join the United States Army Reserve (USAR) where she was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel.

Gabbard's political career beganwhen she was elected to the Hawaii House of Representatives at 21, making her one of the youngest legislators in Hawaiian history.

She laterserved on the Honolulu City Council before being elected to the USHouse of Representatives in 2012.

The 43-year-oldis a fierce opponent of what she calls "forever wars."

Also watch | Race to Power US:Gabbard endorses Trump in 2024 presidential election

She was once seenas the shining star of the Democrats and was the party's presidential hopeful in the 2020 election. However, in October 2022, Gabbard announced she was leaving the Democrats.

Earlier this year, Trump had shortlisted Gabbard as his vice president along with five more names for the post.

However, JD Vance was elected Trump's running mate.

'A privilege of joining Trump'

Monday marked three yearssince a suicide attack at Kabul's international airport killed 13 UStroops and scores of civilians during the US' chaotic evacuation from Afghanistan.

At theNational Guard Association Conference, Gabbard said, "I had the privilege of joining President Trump this morning at Arlington Cemetery, where he joined two Gold Star families and loved ones of Staff Sergeant Hoover and Sergeant Gee, both of whom were two of the 13 killed in the Abbey gate attack three years ago today in Kabul."

"And I can tell you, as we were there, as he laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, joining these Marines' loved ones, I felt the sorrow that he shared with them, in their loss," Gabbard said.

"I am proud to stand here before you today, whether you're a Democrat or a Republican or an Independent, if you love our country, as I do if you cherish peace and freedom as we do, I invite you to join me in doing all that we can to save our country and elect President Donald J. Trump and send him back to the White House to do the tough work of saving our country and serving the people," she added.