In response to speculative media reports, the Trump administration has strongly denied claims that Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard was forced to leave her role due to internal struggles.
The uproar began on May 22, when Gabbard announced her resignation, citing a personal family crisis as the sole reason. Major news organizations like Reuters reported her explanation but also referenced unnamed sources suggesting discontent within the White House.
The Reuters article outlined Gabbard’s exit as Trump’s top intelligence advisor, emphasizing her statement concerning her husband’s health. Still, it featured anonymous claims that she was pushed out by the administration.
These sources alleged that the White House had become increasingly dissatisfied with Gabbard over recent months, citing contentious issues like her Director’s Initiatives Group’s efforts and tensions surrounding U.S. policy towards Iran.
Reuters mentioned that the White House initially did not comment on the ousting claims, which ignited a wave of online discussion and criticism regarding the media’s portrayal.
Responding quickly on social media, White House officials took a stand. In a statement on X, spokesperson Davis R. Ingle reiterated President Trump’s remarks, providing a forceful rebuttal against the allegations.
“Tulsi Gabbard is an America First patriot who has served this country faithfully and extremely well over the last 16 months. As the President said, she is stepping aside to ensure that her husband becomes better than ever before. Any suggestion that the White House forced her to resign over her husband’s health is slanderous,” Ingle asserted.
Tulsi Gabbard is an America First patriot who has served this country faithfully and extremely well over the last 16 months. As the President said, she is stepping aside to ensure that her husband becomes better than ever before. Any suggestion that the White House forced her to… https://t.co/w5Xv1iALQ7
— Davis R. Ingle (@davis_ingle) May 22, 2026
Upon her resignation, Gabbard shared that her decision was driven by her husband’s tragic diagnosis. “My husband, Abraham, has recently been diagnosed with an extremely rare form of bone cancer. He faces major challenges in the coming weeks and months ahead, and I need to be by his side to support him through this difficult time,” she explained.
A former Democrat congresswoman from Hawaii who eventually aligned with Trump, Gabbard expressed pride in her 16-month role as DNI, noting significant strides in reforming the intelligence sector. President Trump praised her contributions on Truth Social, acknowledging that Gabbard would be missed and confirming her husband’s diagnosis as the primary reason for her decision to step down.
Her official departure as DNI is set for June 30. In the meantime, Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence Aaron Lukas, an experienced intelligence officer with over two decades in the field, will assume the acting DNI role.
