Claims about Tulsi Gabbard suggesting Fox News hosts deliver intelligence briefings to Trump have been firmly denied by White House officials.
At a Glance
- Reports claimed Gabbard wanted to transform Trump’s intelligence briefings into Fox News-style presentations
- White House Spokesman Davis Ingle and DNI Press Secretary Olivia Coleman both called the report “false and libelous”
- Trump allegedly received fewer intelligence briefings than predecessors during his first term
- Previous briefings for Trump were reportedly simplified to one-page outlines delivered verbally twice weekly
Reports of Fox News-Style Intelligence Briefings
Allegations that former Democratic Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, now serving as Director of National Intelligence under Trump, sought to redesign presidential intelligence briefings to mimic Fox News broadcasts have triggered a political firestorm. According to The Daily Beast, Gabbard discussed the possibility of involving a Fox producer and host to reshape the President’s Daily Brief (PDB) into a visually driven, television-style segment, tailored to Trump’s media consumption habits.
The report even suggested this plan could involve granting security clearances to media personnel — an idea that would break with every known protocol in the history of U.S. intelligence briefings. It’s a claim that immediately drew fierce backlash, with critics warning of potential threats to national security and misuse of classified information.
Official Denials and Clarifications
But the White House is pushing back hard. Both White House Spokesman Davis Ingle and Director of National Intelligence Press Secretary Olivia Coleman dismissed the report as “false and libelous,” stating unequivocally that no such plan was ever discussed or pursued. Their denials highlight just how explosive the suggestion is — and how closely the administration wants to guard its credibility on intelligence issues.
This story, however, gained traction in part because it taps into long-running concerns about Trump’s engagement with intelligence briefings. The debate isn’t just about a tabloid-style delivery — it’s about whether the nation’s most sensitive information is being taken seriously at the highest levels.
Trump’s Intelligence Briefing Record
During his first term, Trump was notorious for skipping briefings. By May of 2017, he had reportedly received only 14 intelligence updates — far fewer than his predecessors at that point in their presidencies. Briefings were adapted to his preferences, with simplified, one-page summaries read aloud twice weekly.
Former Vice President Mike Pence even recommended using maps and other visuals to engage Trump, reflecting the administration’s internal efforts to accommodate the president’s learning style. While there’s nothing legally improper about customizing briefings, intelligence officials have long expressed concern over whether such simplified formats compromise depth and clarity.
The Stakes of Presidential Intelligence
The President’s Daily Brief — a tradition since the Kennedy administration — is designed to deliver critical, classified intelligence to America’s commander-in-chief. Every word, map, and diagram carries weight. Whether delivered in print or in person, its content shapes decisions on war, peace, diplomacy, and national security.
Presidents have always had some discretion in how they consume this information. But critics argue that transforming intelligence into infotainment, or skipping it altogether, crosses a dangerous line. As Congress considers oversight into how Trump receives briefings in his second term, the Gabbard controversy may be just the first tremor in a larger political quake.
