Kamala won’t like this one!
Donald Trump is turning to former Democratic Representative Tulsi Gabbard as he prepares for his first debate against Vice President Kamala Harris. The 43-year-old Gabbard recently participated in a strategy session with the former president, who is 78, at his Mar-a-Lago estate. This meeting was in preparation for Trump’s upcoming debate with the 59-year-old Democratic vice-presidential nominee, scheduled for September.
Gabbard, who was once considered as a potential running mate for Trump, has firsthand experience debating Harris from their time as Democratic presidential contenders in 2019. During one of their debates, Gabbard strongly criticized Harris’ record as California’s Attorney General, making a notable impact with her comments.
The Trump campaign confirmed that Gabbard is assisting the former president with debate preparation, even though Trump is known for his unconventional approach to debate prep. Campaign spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt emphasized Trump’s debating prowess, pointing out his successful debate performance against Joe Biden.
“Trump has demonstrated remarkable debating skills, as seen in his compelling performance against Joe Biden,” Leavitt stated. “While he doesn’t rely on traditional debate preparation, he values insights from respected advisers like Tulsi Gabbard, who previously challenged Kamala Harris effectively on the debate stage.”
During a July 2019 debate, Gabbard sharply criticized Harris’ tenure as California’s Attorney General, highlighting her record of imprisoning over 1,500 individuals for marijuana offenses and her controversial handling of evidence in a death row case. Gabbard’s forceful critique included a memorable moment when she confronted Harris about laughing off her own marijuana use despite her harsh stance on drug offenses.
In response to Gabbard’s criticisms, Harris defended her record and questioned Gabbard’s suitability for the Democratic nomination. Gabbard countered by accusing the Democratic Party of being swayed by the establishment, a point that resonated with many and was even highlighted by the Trump campaign on social media.
Both candidates dropped out of the presidential race in early 2020, but now Trump and Harris will face off for the first time in their new roles on September 10 in Philadelphia, with the debate set to be aired on ABC.