Former President Donald Trump and Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman, joined forces in a Wisconsin town hall event on Thursday.
According to The Hill, Gabbard, who recently endorsed Trump, moderated the event. She guided the conversation, focusing on key issues such as immigration, inflation, and foreign policy. The event also provided a platform for Trump to discuss his new proposal for government-funded in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments.
Gabbard's presence at the town hall marks a significant shift in her political alignment. Having run an unsuccessful presidential campaign in the Democratic primary in 2020, she announced her departure from the party in 2022. Since then, she has become a regular figure in conservative media.
The Trump campaign has expressed its intention to feature Gabbard, along with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., in upcoming campaign events. Kennedy, who recently suspended his independent White House bid and endorsed Trump, is also expected to make appearances in support of the former president.
Gabbard's role at the Wisconsin event included sharing her personal story of fertility struggles, which set the stage for Trump to introduce his new IVF proposal. This approach demonstrates how the campaign is leveraging Gabbard's experiences and perspectives to connect with voters on personal issues.
Trump's participation in the town hall was relatively brief, lasting approximately 30 minutes. During this time, he addressed questions on various topics, including immigration, inflation, crime, and counterterrorism measures. Interestingly, Trump mentioned that he was unaware of the town hall format until his aides informed him en route to Wisconsin.
The former president stuck to familiar talking points throughout the event. He reiterated his concerns about illegal immigration, downplayed the significance of climate change, and criticized Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump's comments on Harris were particularly pointed, as he labeled her a "Marxist" and accused her of flip-flopping on key issues.
Trump stated:
She's changed on every single one of them. In fact…perhaps we should give Kamala a 'Make America Great Again' hat. But the problem is, that's not her belief. Her belief is open borders. Her belief is getting rid of Social Security. Her belief is doing all of these plans like for health insurance where you have one big government-run mess.
It's important to note that these claims about Harris's positions are not entirely accurate. The vice president has not called for eliminating Social Security, and she has expressed support for a bipartisan border security deal.
The choice of Wisconsin as the location for this town hall underscores the state's importance in the upcoming election. Wisconsin is anticipated to be a closely contested battleground in November, with current polls showing a tight race.
According to a Decision Desk HQ/The Hill average of polls, Harris currently holds a slim 3 percentage point lead over Trump in Wisconsin. This narrow margin highlights the state's potential to play a crucial role in determining the outcome of the 2024 presidential election.
Trump used the event to criticize Harris's first major interview since becoming the Democratic nominee, which was scheduled to air on CNN shortly after the town hall. He questioned Harris's leadership qualities, stating that she "didn't look like a leader to me" during the interview setup.
The Wisconsin town hall event featuring Trump and Gabbard provided insights into the Trump campaign's strategy for the 2024 election. Gabbard's role as moderator and supporter showcases the campaign's efforts to broaden its appeal. Trump's focus on familiar issues and criticism of his opponents remained consistent throughout the event. The choice of Wisconsin for this town hall emphasizes the state's significance in the upcoming election, with current polls indicating a close race between Trump and Harris.
