President Trump Dismisses Tulsi Gabbard’s Assessment of Iran’s Nuclear Capability

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A clear rift is emerging between President Donald Trump and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard over how close Iran is to producing a nuclear weapon. During March testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee, Gabbard said Iran had not resumed its nuclear weapons program. This week, President Trump publicly dismissed her assessment and said he believes Iran is “very close” to developing a nuclear weapon.

The comments come at a sensitive time for U.S. policy, as Israel continues targeted strikes on Iranian nuclear and missile facilities. Israel’s campaign, triggered by intelligence showing rapid nuclear advances, has added pressure on the U.S. to decide its next steps. The president’s tone has grown sharper. His demand for Iran’s “unconditional surrender” and talk of pinpointing the Iranian Supreme Leader’s location suggest that escalation is on the table.

A Public Break on Policy Signals

While the White House maintains that President Trump and Tulsi Gabbard are “closely aligned,” the split is playing out in plain view. Asked about her March testimony aboard Air Force One, Trump said, “I don’t care what she said.” He insisted Iran was far along in building a bomb and described the threat as urgent.

Gabbard had told lawmakers in March that, according to intelligence assessments, Iran had not restarted the nuclear program it suspended in 2003. She did acknowledge Tehran’s growing enriched uranium stockpile and rising domestic support for nuclear weapons development, but stopped short of confirming a program restart.

That nuance now appears lost in the broader political context. Israel’s preemptive strikes, backed by its own intelligence showing Iran could assemble a weapon in weeks, have raised new questions about whether Gabbard downplayed the threat—or whether U.S. intelligence missed a shift in Iran’s intentions.

Tulsi Gabbard: From Ally to Question Mark

Previously, President Trump embraced Tulsi Gabbard as a symbol of ideological range within his administration. She was confirmed as Director of National Intelligence in February after backing his 2024 campaign. Since then, she has revoked security clearances from former officials, criticized elements of the intelligence community, and leaned into a public-facing role uncommon for spy chiefs.

But her skepticism of foreign military entanglements has put her increasingly at odds with key voices in Trump’s circle. A video she posted warning of “fomenting nuclear tensions” was seen by White House officials as undermining the president’s messaging. The administration also took note when Gabbard missed the recent Camp David huddle on Iran, citing National Guard duties.

Behind the scenes, Trump has expressed frustration. According to senior officials, he has floated eliminating the Office of the Director of National Intelligence altogether or folding its functions into the CIA. Though no decision has been made, the conversation reflects a growing discomfort with Gabbard’s positioning.

Tulsi Gabbard’s Challenge: Managing the President’s Attention

Gabbard herself has acknowledged challenges in communicating with Trump. In a recent conversation with aides, she floated the idea of creating Fox News–style intelligence briefings to better capture the president’s attention. The proposal, made half-jokingly according to one staffer, highlights the internal effort to keep Trump engaged with detailed assessments that don’t always align with his instincts or media consumption.

Despite the internal friction, Gabbard continues to attend high-level meetings, including recent briefings in the White House Situation Room. Her allies insist she and Trump remain on the same page about Iran’s capabilities and intentions. They argue that her March testimony highlighted risks even if the program hadn’t officially restarted.

Still, the president’s tone has changed. Trump has rejected any suggestion that Iran’s nuclear threat is overblown. He is now speaking about the country’s capabilities in more immediate terms, even while Gabbard’s office sticks to past assessments.

An Uncertain Standing in a Shifting Landscape

Meanwhile Tulsi Gabbard’s defenders, including Vice President JD Vance, have issued statements praising her service. Yet it’s clear that within the Trump administration, her influence may be slipping. Whether she remains in her role depends on how the president chooses to navigate public and internal perceptions of leadership during this critical time.

As the Israel-Iran conflict deepens and the U.S. weighs its next move, how much weight the president gives to Gabbard’s assessments may determine not only her future but also how the administration interprets the next phase of the nuclear standoff.

Do you agree more with Tulsi Gabbard or President Trump on Iran’s nuclear capability and the best U.S. response? Tell us what you think.

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