President Donald Trump is increasingly frustrated with his Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, following a series of public and private disagreements that have put a spotlight on their strained relationship.
Earlier this month, Gabbard shared a video on social media following a visit to Hiroshima, Japan, marking 80 years since the U.S. dropped a nuclear bomb on the city. In the emotional clip, she described the devastation caused by the attack and issued a stark warning about the current global risks. She said the world was now “closer to the brink of nuclear annihilation than ever before,” and criticized political leaders and “warmongers” for escalating tensions between nuclear powers.
President Trump, according to two people familiar with the situation, was furious. He reportedly scolded Gabbard, saying her remarks could scare the public and that such topics shouldn’t be discussed by top officials.
This clash over the video highlighted the president’s deeper, ongoing concerns about Gabbard’s role in his administration. Some in the White House have long believed that Gabbard’s overseas trips — like her stop in Hiroshima — are more about boosting her public image and future political ambitions than serving the administration’s goals.
The disagreement comes as the administration debates potential military action against Iran. Gabbard, a known critic of foreign wars and military overreach, has been raising concerns privately about the risks of a broader conflict. Meanwhile, Trump publicly dismissed her earlier testimony to Congress from March, in which she stated U.S. intelligence had found no evidence that Iran was pursuing a nuclear weapon — a statement Trump contradicted, claiming he believed Iran was “very close” to building one.
Following the release of the Hiroshima video, Trump reportedly told Gabbard he was disappointed in her judgment and questioned her intentions. One source said Trump accused her of using her role in the administration as a platform to launch a future presidential campaign. He allegedly told her that if she wanted to run for higher office, she shouldn’t be working in his government.
While Gabbard has not publicly responded, the widening gap between her views and those of the president is now drawing attention, especially as foreign policy tensions grow. Whether she remains in the administration may depend on how the Iran situation unfolds — and whether the president’s patience holds.
