Staff Reports
Reports are swirling about the potential vice presidential candidacy for Former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard on the ticket with former President Donald Trump and independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Gabbard, who previously served as a Democrat in the House of Representatives, has since distanced herself from the party and has been vocal about her conservative views on issues such as abortion and transgender rights. While Gabbard has expressed interest in joining either ticket, sources say that Trump is hesitant to consider someone with presidential ambitions, which could harm her chances of being chosen as his running mate.
.@TulsiGabbard could have her choice of tickets as her name appears on two VP short lists https://t.co/gtqOoGSnZt https://t.co/gtqOoGSnZt
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) March 22, 2024
According to insiders, Gabbard met with Kennedy in Hawaii and has been mentioned as a potential candidate for his vice presidential pick. Mark Lonabaugh, a former strategist for Sen. Bernie Sanders, has even suggested that Gabbard would be a good ideological fit for Kennedy. However, Gabbard has reportedly shown more interest in the possibility of joining forces with Trump.
During an interview with Fox News, Trump listed Gabbard as one of his potential vice presidential candidates, praising her as a “good” and “solid” choice. Despite the attention, some members of Trump’s team have hinted that Gabbard may not ultimately be selected as his running mate, but could still play a different role in his administration.
While Gabbard’s independent and conservative leanings may be appealing to both presidential candidates, the fact that she ran for president in 2020 could complicate her chances of being chosen as Trump’s vice president, as sources close to Trump have indicated that he is wary of selecting someone with their own presidential ambitions.
A spokesperson for Gabbard has downplayed the speculation, calling questions about her interest in the vice presidency “premature.” However, the buzz surrounding Gabbard’s potential role in the upcoming election continues to build. As the race for the vice presidency heats up, Gabbard’s political future remains uncertain.
