Donald Trump adds Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Tulsi Gabbard to 2024 transition team after endorsements

A pair of former Democrats who have endorsed former President Donald Trump – Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard – are joining his transition team, giving them influence over a second Trump administration if he wins the 2024 election.

Kennedy ran against Trump, initially as a Democrat before switching to independent. He suspended his campaign Friday and endorsed his rival.

Gabbard ran for president in 2020 as a Democrat but left the party in 2022. The former Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii endorsed Trump Monday during a National Guard event.

As Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign has surged in recent weeks after she entered the 2024 race for the White Houe, Trump has turned to alliances with Kennedy and Gabbard to try and broaden his appeal.

“As President Trump’s broad coalition of supporters and endorsers expands across partisan lines, we are proud that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard have been added  to the Trump/Vance Transition team,” Trump spokesman Brian Hughes said in a statement. “We look forward to having their powerful voices on the team as we work to restore America’s greatness.”

Kennedy, the nephew of former President John F. Kennedy, told conservative media personality Tucker Carlson that in addition to joining Trump’s transition team “We are working on policy issues together.” A longtime anti-vaccine advocate, there has been speculation that Kennedy could serve as Health and Human Services secretary or in another health care role in a second Trump White House.

Trump repeatedly criticized Kennedy, blasting him as a “Radical Left Democrat,” before seeking his endorsement.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: RFK Jr., Tulsi Gabbard join Donald Trump 2024 transition team