Fact Check: Did Tulsi Gabbard get fired as US Director of National Intelligence?

WASHINGTON, DC: Rumors are swirling on social media that Tulsi Gabbard may have been fired from her White House role, though the claim has not been verified. The speculation comes in the wake of recent high-profile departures. US Attorney General Pam Bondi was abruptly dismissed by President Donald Trump in early April 2026, and Kristi Noem stepped down as Secretary of Homeland Security, serving from January 25, 2025, until March 24, 2026.

Claim: Tulsi Gabbard has been fired as Director of National Intelligence

Tulsi Gabbard is at the center of a viral online rumor claiming she was fired as a US intelligence chief. The unverified posts, widely shared on X (formerly Twitter) and promoted by politically aligned accounts, seem to have started with a single post on April 7, 2026. 

That post, by X user @AFRICANDEMOC, showed a picture of Gabbard and said, “Tulsi Gabbard, United States Director of National Intelligence, has been fired. Breaking news.”

Within hours, the post got over 373,000 views and hundreds of comments, with many people questioning whether the claim was true. This isn’t the first rumor this month. Shortly after President Trump dismissed Pam Bondi, speculation circulated online that he might also fire Tulsi Gabbard and FBI Director Kash Patel.

Fact Check: Rumors about Tulsi Gabbard being fired are false

The viral claim that Tulsi Gabbard was fired is not supported by any official documents or statements from government agencies. There was also no confirmation from reliable sources. Even without proof, the post quickly spread online, gaining thousands of shares and comments. Some accounts further fueled the rumor by suggesting there were internal conflicts within the Trump administration.

However, no US government agency, including the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), has confirmed that Tulsi Gabbard ever held or was removed from such a role. Official records also do not show that she has served as Director of National Intelligence. As of early April 2026, there has been no formal announcement, press release, or congressional record about her being appointed or dismissed. Such a high-level position normally requires Senate approval and would be widely reported if any changes happened.

There are also no press briefings, transcripts, or White House communications linking Gabbard to this role, which further weakens the claim. In fact, on April 3, the White House rejected rumors that President Trump was planning to remove her. Communications Director Steven Cheung said the president has “total confidence” in Gabbard and called the rumors “totally fake news.” He added that the administration believes it has one of the most capable and effective Cabinets ever.