Former President Donald Trump has enlisted Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democratic representative from Hawaii, to assist in his preparations for the upcoming presidential debate against Kamala Harris.
The decision to include Gabbard in his rehearsal team, first reported by the New York Times, indicates that Trump may be taking a more thorough approach to his debate preparation than previously expected. The debate is scheduled for September 10.
Gabbard, an Iraq War veteran, was once considered a potential vice-presidential pick for Trump. She left the Democratic Party after her 2020 presidential primary campaign and a subsequent clash with Hillary Clinton, who had implied that Gabbard was a "Russian asset." Gabbard responded by suing Clinton, alleging that the accusation was retaliation for her support of Bernie Sanders during the 2016 primaries.
Gabbard's involvement in Trump's debate prep is notable given her history with Harris. During the 2020 Democratic primaries, Gabbard criticized Harris for her record as California's attorney general, highlighting the imprisonment of hundreds for marijuana violations while Harris later admitted to using the drug herself.
Last week, Gabbard reiterated her stance on Fox News, calling Harris "an empty suit" and accusing her of hypocrisy.
In an email to the New York Times, the Trump campaign downplayed the significance of traditional debate prep, stating that Trump would "continue to meet with respected policy advisers and effective communicators like Tulsi Gabbard."
Despite these assertions, Trump's team is reportedly cautious about his approach in the debate, mindful of the aggressive demeanor he displayed in his 2020 debate with Joe Biden. Trump's performance in that debate was criticized for being overly combative, which his handlers hope to avoid repeating.
Trump also faces the challenge of debating a female opponent, a dynamic that previously garnered criticism during his debates with Hillary Clinton in 2016, particularly when he invited women who had accused Bill Clinton of sexual misconduct to sit in the front row of the audience.
After Gabbard's sharp critique of Harris in 2020, Harris dismissed Gabbard's standing in the polls. However, Harris exited the primary race before Gabbard, who followed suit a month later.
The upcoming debate on September 10 will be a crucial moment for both campaigns as they vie for the support of voters in this high-stakes election season.
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