DNI Tulsi Gabbard Sets the Record Straight on Iran as Media Frenzy Erupts

In a striking rebuke of what she calls “intentional misinformation,” Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has publicly accused major media outlets of deliberately distorting her recent testimony on Iran, igniting a firestorm across Washington.

During a closed-door intelligence briefing earlier this week, Gabbard reportedly shared classified insights regarding escalating threats posed by Iranian-backed militias in the Middle East. Shortly after, multiple headlines emerged claiming Gabbard had “softened” the administration’s stance toward Tehran—an accusation she is flatly rejecting.

“The dishonest media is intentionally taking my testimony out of context and spreading fake news as a way to manufacture division,” Gabbard wrote in a scathing statement released late Wednesday.

The statement didn’t stop there.

“This is nothing new. The corporate media has lied before, twisted facts, and they’ll continue doing so as long as it serves their political agenda. But I won’t be silent.”

A Familiar Fight

Gabbard’s pushback marks yet another chapter in her long-standing battle with what she sees as an entrenched, biased media landscape. As a former Congresswoman, presidential candidate, and now head of U.S. intelligence operations, Gabbard has built a reputation as a maverick unafraid to challenge the mainstream narrative.

Her critics, however, argue that her blunt language and anti-establishment rhetoric can blur the lines between government transparency and political posturing.

Still, supporters see her stance as a welcome break from business as usual in Washington. One senior intelligence official, speaking on background, praised Gabbard’s “refreshing commitment to truth, even when it makes people uncomfortable.”

Iran in Focus

At the heart of the controversy is a complex and evolving threat landscape in the Middle East. According to insiders familiar with Gabbard’s briefing, she emphasized Iran’s growing support for proxy militias across Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon—warning that a “multi-front escalation” could be imminent if deterrence fails.

What Gabbard didn’t say, sources clarify, is that the U.S. was seeking rapprochement or de-escalation without consequences. Instead, she reportedly laid out a strategy that balances military readiness with diplomatic channels—a nuance many headlines ignored.

“She was clear-eyed about the threat and firm in our position,” said one member of the Senate Intelligence Committee. “I’m baffled how the media twisted that into appeasement.”

Media Under Fire

Gabbard’s blistering critique of the media has sparked broader debate about journalism’s role in covering national security issues. On social media, #TulsiWasRight began trending, with many users echoing her sentiment that mainstream outlets are sowing discord by manipulating context.

“This is why trust in media is at historic lows,” one user posted on X. “They’ll twist the truth to get a reaction, not to inform the public.”

Yet some journalists are pushing back, defending the reporting as accurate and insisting that Gabbard’s combative tone is an effort to distract from genuine concerns about transparency.

Standing Firm

Regardless of the media narrative, Gabbard remains resolute.

“This is what leadership looks like—telling the truth, showing strength, and standing up to both fake news and foreign threats. I serve the American people, not a media machine.”

As tensions with Iran simmer and Washington braces for potential fallout, Gabbard’s clash with the media may be a sign of deeper battles to come—over intelligence, influence, and the future of truth in American public life.