Live Rift: Trump Publicly Disputes Intelligence Chief Over Iran Nuclear Threat

In a dramatic and highly unusual exchange, former President Donald Trump publicly contradicted his own Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, during a live interview. The confrontation occurred as Trump reiterated his long-standing claim that Iran is on the verge of acquiring nuclear weapons only to be met with on-air pushback citing Gabbard’s recent assessment that no concrete evidence supports that timeline.

Responding with visible frustration, Trump dismissed his intelligence leadership. “Then my intelligence community is wrong,” he stated. When told Gabbard was the source of the assessment, he added sharply, “She’s wrong. People need to be very careful with what they say. Their mouths can get them into a lot of trouble.” The remark appeared to be a thinly veiled warning, underscoring the growing internal divisions within his foreign policy team.

Trump attempted to reinforce his position by referencing the Iraq War, arguing he had correctly opposed the invasion due to the absence of weapons of mass destruction. “I was right then, and I’m right now,” he claimed. He insisted that Iran had amassed “tremendous” nuclear material and that a weapon was only “weeks or months” away from development despite conflicting intelligence reports.

Later that evening, Trump addressed the nation to announce U.S. military strikes on three key Iranian nuclear sites: Fordo, Natanz, and Esfahan. Describing the operation as a “spectacular military success,” Trump claimed the targeted facilities were “completely obliterated,” aiming to signal a decisive blow to Iran’s nuclear ambitions. No independent confirmation of the damage has yet been released.

The split between Trump and Gabbard has sparked significant concern within national security and diplomatic circles. Intelligence officials are now caught between political rhetoric and classified assessments, while allies abroad seek clarity on the United States’ position and strategy in the region.

This public disagreement broadcast live marks a rare moment in U.S. political history. A former president openly disputing his intelligence chief on national television underscores not only internal tensions but also the increasingly blurred lines between governance, media, and military action.