Trump’s Debate Preparation
Former President Donald Trump is ramping up his preparations for his upcoming debate with Vice President Kamala Harris by bringing in former Democratic Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard. According to the New York Times, Gabbard joined Trump for practice sessions at his Mar-a-Lago estate. Trump and Harris are set to debate on September 10. Gabbard, who left the Democratic Party after her 2020 presidential bid and has become a prominent figure among Trump’s supporters, has a history with Harris, having notably challenged her in a 2019 Democratic primary debate.
Gabbard’s Role and Trump’s Debate Strategy
Gabbard’s involvement is seen as strategic, given her past success in challenging Harris. Karoline Leavitt, Trump’s spokeswoman, confirmed Gabbard’s role, emphasizing Trump’s strong debating skills and his preference for non-traditional debate preparation. Leavitt noted, “He does not need traditional debate prep but will continue to meet with respected policy advisers and effective communicators like Tulsi Gabbard, who successfully dominated Kamala Harris on the debate stage in 2020.” Despite Trump’s claims of not needing formal debate practice, he has reportedly engaged in more preparatory sessions this year compared to previous campaigns.
Debate Dynamics and Previous Encounters
In preparation for his CNN debate with Joe Biden in June, Trump engaged in informal sessions with advisors, discussing potential debate topics and strategies. His preparation involved mock debates and combative questioning from supporters like Representative Matt Gaetz. Trump’s aides plan to use a similar approach for his debate with Harris. Gabbard brings unique qualities to the preparation, including her gender and legislative experience, as well as her previous on-stage confrontation with Harris. During their 2019 debate, Gabbard accused Harris of prosecutorial misconduct, which Harris defended by highlighting her commitment to substantive work over mere rhetoric. Both candidates eventually dropped out of the 2020 race, but Gabbard’s critique remains a notable part of her debate history.