At first glance the Democrat seems an unlikely counsellor, but her criticism of Obama and hard line on immigration might appeal to the president-elect

Donald Trump’s unorthodox US presidential transition continued on Monday when he held talks with one of the most prominent supporters of leftwing Democrat Bernie Sanders.

The president-elect’s first meeting of the day at Trump Tower in New York was with Tulsi Gabbard, a Democratic maverick who endorsed the socialist Sanders during his unsuccessful primary battle with Hillary Clinton.

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Over the past few days Trump has also held talks with Mitt Romney, who once branded him a “phony” but is now under consideration for possible secretary of state, Ted Cruz, whom he labelled “Lyin’ Ted” during the Republican primary campaign, and Democrat Michelle Rhee, the former schools chief of Washington, who is mooted as a possible education secretary.

The celebrity businessman’s aides have characterised him as a deal maker who intends to cast the net wide for diverse talents. Barack Obama has called Trump “pragmatic”, not an “ideologue”, while former secretary of state Henry Kissinger said he would be a unique president because he “has no obligation to any particular group”. He is entertaining both loyalists and rivals, although his three appointments so far – Jeff Sessions for attorney general, Mike Pompeo for CIA chief and Michael Flynn for national security adviser – have been in the former category.

At first glance Gabbard, who is from Hawaii and is the first Hindu member of the US Congress, seems an unlikely counsellor. She resigned from the Democratic National Committee to back Vermont senator Sanders and formally nominated him for president at the party convention in July, crediting him with starting a “movement of love and compassion”, although by then Clinton’s victory was certain.

But the Iraq war veteran has also expressed views that might appeal to Trump, criticising Obama, condemning interventionist wars in Iraq and Libya and taking a hard line on immigration. In 2014, she called for a rollback of the visa waiver programme for Britain and other European countries with what she called “Islamic extremist” populations.

In October last year she tweeted: “Al-Qaeda attacked us on 9/11 and must be defeated. Obama won’t bomb them in Syria. Putin did. #neverforget911.” She was then among 47 Democrats who joined Republicans to pass a bill mandating a stronger screening process for refugees from Iraq and Syria coming to the US.

Media reports have suggested that Trump’s chief strategist Steve Bannon is an admirer of Gabbard. Last week, when 169 Democrats signed a letter condemning Bannon’s appointment by Trump for encouraging white nationalism, she was not among them.

Trump, the former host of The Apprentice, continues to throw out hints and teases about his cabinet picks reminiscent of a reality TV show. “We really had some great meetings, and you’ll be hearing about them soon,” he said on Sunday.

His other meetings on Monday included talks with Oklahoma governor Mary Fallin, former Texas governor and Republican presidential rival Rick Perry, and executives and anchors from major TV networks.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Former Texas governor Rick Perry exits a meeting with Donald Trump at Trump Tower on Monday. Photograph: Brendan Mcdermid/Reuters

Kellyanne Conway, Trump’s former campaign manager and still a key aide, told Fox News that Perry is a possible contender to lead the defense or energy departments while Fallin is being considered to head the interior department.

Meanwhile there was no sign of an end to the war of words between Trump and the hit Broadway show Hamilton. Actor Brandon Victor Dixon, who plays Vice-President Aaron Burr in the award-winning musical, directly addressed Vice-President-elect Mike Pence after Friday’s performance, expressing fears that his administration would not protect America’s diversity.

Trump used Twitter to demand an apology. But Dixon told CBS’s breakfast show This Morning that he was delivering the message on behalf of the producers, creators and the cast. “We recognise Hamilton is an inherently American story, it’s told by the definition of the American community,” he said.

Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) The Theater must always be a safe and special place.The cast of Hamilton was very rude last night to a very good man, Mike Pence. Apologize!

“We are men and women of different colours, creeds and orientations and the resonant nature of the show throughout the world demands we make statements when there are important issues facing us as a community. We wanted to stand up and spread a message of love and unity considering the emotional outpouring since the election.

“Conversation is not harassment and I was appreciative that Vice-President-elect Pence stood there and listened to what we had to say.”

Dixon said Pence was welcome to come backstage to have conversations with the cast about their concerns. He added that the show’s creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, who played Hamilton as a member of the original cast, was involved in writing the message.

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Asked how he felt about Trump’s demand for an apology, Dixon said: “There is nothing to apologise for … We welcome Donald Trump at Hamilton because I think the power of our show and the way we tell it is undeniable.”

Trump tweeted nine times over the weekend. Two tweets were about his transition plans; the other messages complained about Hamilton, a skit on Saturday Night Live, Democratic senator Harry Reid and his recently settled fraud case over Trump University.



The billionaire businessman will spend Thanksgiving at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. Jason Miller, a spokesman for the transition team, said Trump would get together with family and take a brief break from transition planning, “hopefully eating some turkey”.

Vice-President elect Mike Pence is travelling for the holiday to Mississippi, where his son, a marine who is training to be a pilot, is stationed.