Fact Check: "Gabbard's Hiroshima video angered White House officials"
What We Know
On June 10, 2025, Tulsi Gabbard, the Director of National Intelligence, posted a video on social media reflecting on her visit to Hiroshima, Japan. In this video, she warned about the dangers of nuclear war, stating that the U.S. is "closer to the brink of nuclear annihilation than ever before" and criticized "political elite warmongers" for escalating tensions between nuclear powers (source). This video reportedly angered President Donald Trump, who confronted Gabbard during a White House meeting, expressing his discontent by stating, "I saw the video, and I didn’t like it" (source).
Gabbard's remarks in the video were in stark contrast to Trump's previous comments on nuclear weapons and the use of military force, which may have contributed to the tension between them (source). Following the release of the video, sources indicated that Gabbard was sidelined in discussions regarding U.S. military options in the Middle East, particularly concerning Iran (source).
Analysis
The claim that Gabbard's Hiroshima video angered White House officials is supported by multiple credible sources. The Washington Post reported that Trump confronted Gabbard directly about the video, indicating a clear reaction from the White House (source). Politico corroborated this by stating that Trump was incensed by what he perceived as Gabbard speaking out of turn, which suggests that her comments were not aligned with the administration's messaging at that time (source).
Additionally, ABC News highlighted the content of Gabbard's video, which starkly contrasted with Trump's rhetoric, further emphasizing the potential for conflict between her statements and the administration's stance (source). The Daily Mail reported that the White House questioned the relevance of Gabbard's trip to Hiroshima, suggesting that her actions were viewed as inappropriate or misaligned with her role (source).
However, it is important to note that while Gabbard's allies acknowledged that the video was not well-received, they also claimed that her job was not in immediate jeopardy, indicating a complex dynamic within the administration (source). This nuanced perspective suggests that while there was anger, it did not necessarily lead to immediate consequences for Gabbard.
Conclusion
The claim that Gabbard's Hiroshima video angered White House officials is True. The evidence from multiple reputable sources indicates that President Trump expressed his displeasure directly to Gabbard, and the administration's reaction to her video was notably negative. This incident reflects the tensions within the Trump administration regarding messaging on nuclear threats and military engagement.
Sources
- Navigating Iran crisis, Trump relies on experience over star ...
- Inside the clashes between Trump and Gabbard - POLITICO
- Tulsi Gabbard warns of nuclear threat in social media video
- Trump privately raged at Tulsi Gabbard's 'nuclear annihilation' video ...
- Trump Was Furious With Gabbard's Unauthorized Video Trashing ...
- Even Republicans aren't sure what to make of Tulsi Gabbard ...
- Tulsi Gabbard sidelined in Trump administration ...
- DNI Tulsi Gabbard draws friendly fire from Republicans for video ...