Gabbard Aims to Revamp Trump’s Briefings to Align with His Media Habits
TL/DR –
National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard is reportedly considering ways to adapt President Donald Trump’s intelligence briefings to suit his media consumption habits, possibly using video formats similar to Fox News. The President’s Daily Brief (PDB) currently takes the form of a daily digital document, but it’s suggested that Trump’s infrequent use of the PDB may be due to his preference for broadcast media and a distrust of intelligence officials. Gabbard’s office and the White House have denied the NBC News report, calling it “laughable” and “libelous garbage” respectively.
President Trump’s Intelligence Briefings May Adopt Video Format
National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard is reportedly seeking to adapt President Donald Trump’s intelligence briefings to better align with his media consumption habits. As NBC News reports, Gabbard has consulted with intelligence officials about possibly adopting a video format, possibly akin to Fox News.
The president’s intelligence report, or PDB, is currently a digital mix of text, images, and graphics. The proposed changes could involve hiring from Fox News’ roster, where Gabbard previously served as a paid contributor. Trump’s limited engagement with the PDB, which impacts presidential decisions, could be due to a disconnect on both trust and presentation style.
Since taking office, Trump has received the PDB only 14 times, according to his public schedule. Alternatively, President Joe Biden had engaged with 90 PDBs by the same period in his tenure. Trump’s fondness for Fox News potentially plays a role in this disparity.
Other formats for the PDB could include animated graphics and maps. However, overcoming Trump’s reported distrust of the intelligence community to embrace the PDB is seen as an uphill battle. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence has denied these reports, calling them “laughable, absurd, and flat-out false.”
Another approach under consideration is focusing the PDB on areas of Trump’s interest, such as economics and trade. Gabbard has also recently exerted more control over the PDB process and dismissed two top National Intelligence Council officials. The dismissals came after a NIC report contradicted Trump’s claims about Venezuelan gang members entering the U.S.
A 2021 CIA report highlighted the challenges of briefing Trump during his first administration. The report depicted a president who “doubted the competence of intelligence professionals and felt no need for regular intelligence support.”
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