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Nuclear proliferation

White House Posts Misleading Video of Tulsi Gabbard on Iran

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The White House shared a selectively edited clip of Senator Tulsi Gabbard's testimony to the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, suggesting that Iran was on the verge of developing a nuclear bomb. However, Gabbard had explicitly stated that the U.S. intel community did not believe Iran was building a nuclear weapon. The clip began after she clarified this point, and it omitted her warning that there were some indications of a shift in rhetoric. This misleading video came in the aftermath of President Trump's loss of temper with his director of national intelligence over the latter's criticism of the case for war with Iran.

Key Takeaways:

  • The White House selectively edited a clip of Senator Tulsi Gabbard's Senate testimony to suggest that Iran was close to developing a nuclear bomb, when in reality, she stated that the U.S. intel community did not believe Iran was building a nuclear weapon.
  • The clip omitted Gabbard's clarification that the IC continues to assess that Iran is not building a nuclear weapon and Supreme Leader Khamenei has not authorized the nuclear weapons program he suspended in 2003.
  • President Trump publicly dismissed Gabbard's influence on his decision-making regarding any role the U.S. would have in aiding Israel against Iran, stating, "I don't care what she said."
  • Gabbard's video in which she claimed that the "political elite and warmongers" were "carelessly fomenting fear and tensions between nuclear powers" did not sit well with Trump, who stated that he doesn't think highly of it.
  • Trump said he's still open to negotiating with Iran, while also considering military action, citing his preference to make a final decision just before it's due.

Statistics:

  • Iran's enriched uranium stockpile is at its highest levels and is unprecedented for a state without nuclear weapons; (March testimony)
  • The U.S. intel community assesses that Iran is not building a nuclear weapon; (March testimony)
  • Supreme Leader Khamenei has not authorized the nuclear weapons program he suspended in 2003; (March testimony)
  • Iran's nuclear stockpile is the highest it has ever been for a state without nuclear weapons; (March testimony)

Sources:

  • @DNIGabbard (Twitter account)
  • Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) (Twitter handle)
  • DNI.gov (Director of National Intelligence website)
  • The Daily Beast ("Trump Throws Tulsi Gabbard Under the Bus Over Iran Nuke Claim; 'I Don't Care What She Said'")
  • The Daily Beast ("White House Posts Totally Misleading Video-Edit of Tulsi Gabbard on Iran")

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