President Donald Trump was on the verge of firing his top intelligence chief, Tulsi Gabbard, until his longest-serving political adviser, Roger Stone, made a decisive intervention with a timely phone call, according to insider reports. The President had grown increasingly frustrated with Gabbard's perceived lack of enthusiasm for his Iran war strategy during recent Congressional testimony, leading to a tense closed-door meeting where Trump reportedly scolded her and questioned her loyalty.
Cabinet Polling and Growing Tensions
Following Gabbard's lacklustre performance on Capitol Hill, Trump went as far as polling his cabinet members on whether he should dismiss the Director of National Intelligence. Officials described the President as sounding ready to terminate Gabbard's position last week, with tensions escalating over her refusal to fully endorse the administration's military approach toward Iran.
Stone's Four-Point Defence
Roger Stone, 73, who has been a friend and close political adviser to Trump since 1979, laid out four compelling reasons why firing Gabbard would be a strategic mistake. He argued that she had remained fundamentally loyal, handled congressional testimony with discipline, and never publicly contradicted the President. Stone warned that dismissing her would trigger an unnecessary and damaging media frenzy, potentially elevating her as a martyr among segments of Trump's base already uneasy about the war.
Political Ramifications and MAGA Dynamics
Stone cautioned that such a move could boost Gabbard's credibility with MAGA dissenters, potentially positioning her as a serious GOP presidential contender within a year. He specifically told Trump it would complicate JD Vance's path in early 2028 primary states like New Hampshire and South Carolina, adding another layer of political calculation to the decision.
Additional Sources of Friction
Trump's frustration with Gabbard had been mounting in recent weeks regarding the resignation of her deputy, Joe Kent, who stepped down last month after accusing Israel of misleading the President about the need to invade Iran. Gabbard further angered Trump by refusing to condemn Kent during her Congressional testimony. Stone addressed these concerns during his phone call by stressing that, unlike Kent, Gabbard had no intention of resigning and did not merit a preemptive dismissal.
Confirmation and Official Responses
Although Stone declined to comment when reached by the Daily Mail about the specifics, he confirmed on social media platform X that he had stepped in on Gabbard's behalf, stating: 'Fortunately, I acted in time.' A source close to Trump summarised the situation by saying, 'Roger sealed the deal. He saved Tulsi.' The White House declined to address Stone's last-minute campaign to save Gabbard, with spokesperson Leavitt stating, 'President Trump believes Tulsi Gabbard is doing an excellent job on behalf of the administration. She is a key member of his national security team.'
Gabbard's spokesperson emphasised her ongoing commitment, saying she 'remains dedicated to fulfilling the responsibilities the President placed in her to protect the safety, security and freedom of the American people. She will continue to work tirelessly on behalf of President Trump's agenda.' This episode highlights the complex interplay between presidential decision-making, political loyalty, and the influential role of long-term advisers in the Trump administration.
