Even Republicans aren't sure what to make of Tulsi Gabbard's weird new video [View all]

[LetMyPeopleVote]

The DNI’s video about nuclear threats was so odd that one GOP senator suggested that “she obviously needs to change her meds.”

How weird was Tulsi Gabbard’s video about nuclear threats? Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) — who voted to confirm her — suggested that the DNI “obviously needs to change her meds.” www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddo...

— Steve Benen (@stevebenen.com) 2025-06-11T16:00:45.567Z

https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/tulsi-gabbard-video-nuclear-war-bomb-shelters-rcna212317

In recent days, Gabbard has reportedly taken steps to politicize her agency’s inspector general’s office, while exploring ways to turn the president’s daily briefing into Fox News-style segments.

But her latest move is arguably the strangest. Politico reported:

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard warned of a ‘nuclear holocaust’ and chastised ‘warmongers’ for bringing the world ‘closer to the brink of nuclear annihilation than ever before’ in a foreboding video posted to social media on Tuesday. In the three-minute video, Gabbard details a recent visit to Hiroshima, Japan to learn more about the aftermath of the U.S. nuclear attack on the city in 1945 during World War II. The video features footage of Gabbard’s trip and archival footage showing victims, interspersed with Gabbard speaking directly to camera about the consequences of a nuclear attack.

Much of the three-minute video is unremarkable. Gabbard reflected on a recent visit to Hiroshima and talked about the significance of a nuclear threat in ways that are largely uncontroversial.

But one part of Gabbard’s message stood out as ... odd.

https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:t6ubj2wlhc34awzcymh3qpur/post/3lrbanfswas2w

Link to tweet

“As we stand here, closer to the brink of nuclear annihilation than ever before, political elite and warmongers are carelessly fomenting fear and tensions between nuclear powers,” she said toward the end of the video. “And perhaps it’s because they are confident that they will have access to nuclear shelters for themselves and for their families that regular people won’t have access to.”
So, a few things.

First, the suggestion that we’re currently “closer to the brink of nuclear annihilation than ever before” is difficult to take seriously. I’d encourage Gabbard to read, for example, any good book about the Cold War.

Second, I noticed the DNI didn’t name which “warmongers” are trying to “foment” tensions between nuclear powers — the specifics matter. Who are these nefarious figures allegedly putting the world at great risk?....

Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana, for example, told Jewish Insider that “she obviously needs to change her meds.” Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, who has a flare for classic understatements, added that Gabbard’s message was “very strange.”

Before the Senate confirmation vote on the former Hawaii congresswoman, a variety of former national security officials urged senators not to vote for her. In hindsight, perhaps the chamber’s GOP members should’ve heeded their warning.