President Trump is taking an aggressive approach in his race against Kamala Harris by enlisting a key figure who played a pivotal role in undermining her 2020 campaign.
According to a report from The New York Times on Friday, Trump has brought in former Hawaii Democrat Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard to help him prepare for his upcoming debate against Harris in Philadelphia next month.
The Times notes that Gabbard brings valuable experience and unique qualities as a debate advisor for Trump. As a former member of Congress, she has a strong grasp of policy, and her presence as a female advisor could be strategically advantageous given that Trump is facing a woman as his general election challenger. Public perception can differ when a man debates a woman compared to a male opponent, making Gabbard’s insights particularly relevant.
Most notably, Gabbard has previously faced Harris in a debate and delivered a significant blow to her campaign. During a July 2019 Democratic Presidential debate on CNN, Gabbard criticized Harris’s record as California Attorney General and San Francisco District Attorney, effectively challenging her self-portrayal as a “reform prosecutor.”
Gabbard highlighted Harris’s actions as a prosecutor, pointing out that she oversaw the prosecution of over 1,000 people for marijuana offenses, kept inmates in prison beyond their sentences for cheap labor, and withheld evidence that could have exonerated an innocent man on death row until she was compelled by the courts.
As Gabbard laid out her case against Harris, the audience responded with enthusiasm, while Harris struggled to offer an effective rebuttal. Gabbard’s direct criticism left a lasting impact, with her stating, “The bottom line is, Senator Harris, when you were in a position to make a difference and an impact in these people’s lives, you did not.” She added, “And the people who suffered under your reign as prosecutor, you owe them an apology.”
Trump’s decision to bring in Gabbard as a debate advisor indicates that he is looking to leverage her past success against Harris to gain an edge in the upcoming debate.