Former Democrats Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard spoke out against their former party during a campaign event for Donald Trump in Arizona on Saturday, with both calling it “warmongers” and “the party of censorship.” Addressing the crowd at Arizona Christian University in Glendale, Kennedy, 70, said he no longer recognized the Democrats as the same party he once belonged to.
Kennedy’s endorsement of Trump came less than a month after suspending his independent presidential bid and endorsing the Republican candidate at a Glendale rally. He is currently embroiled in legal battles to remove his name from ballots in crucial swing states. In his speech, he highlighted Trump’s efforts to tackle chronic diseases and bring the nation together, emphasizing the need for unity to make America healthy and great again.
Gabbard, a former veteran and Hawaiian representative who sought the Democratic nomination for president in 2020, left the party in 2022 and endorsed Trump this election due to its foreign policy stances. She accused the Democrats of standing for tyranny and war, referring to them as an “elite cabal” with “warmongers.” The event was part of the “Reclaim America Tour,” aimed at uniting people in their fight for freedom and peace.
Some Arizonans believe Kennedy’s endorsement could help Trump win support from Democrats and bolster his chances both in Arizona and nationwide. Meanwhile, the “Republicans for Harris” coalition continues to gain momentum as a key point for the Democratic campaign in the Grand Canyon State.
The battle for Arizona’s 11 electoral votes is heating up, with Trump and Kamala Harris neck-and-neck according to recent polls from RealClearPolling and FiveThirtyEight. Cross-aisle voters could ultimately decide the election in the state. Both Republican veep hopeful JD Vance and Doug Emhoff, husband of Kamala Harris, held dueling events in Tucson earlier this month.
