NEW: General Flynn Gives Update On ‘Rift’ Between Trump And Tulsi: ‘That Was A Setup’

General Mike Flynn claims that a “setup” was devised from the outset to foster divisions within the upper echelons of the Trump administration, as he detailed in a recent interview.

In a discussion with conservative figure Benny Johnson, the former military advisor to Trump accused Tulsi Gabbard, the beleaguered director of national intelligence, of being undermined when she asserted during a recent congressional hearing that Iran is far from finalizing its nuclear weapon development. This assertion was promptly rebutted by Trump, who showed indifference to Gabbard’s remarks while contemplating military action against the country.

“I’m striving to make a positive contribution to their efforts,” Flynn commented. “Tulsi Gabbard is an important asset.”

He is the second person close to President Trump to openly endorse Gabbard following her statements, which she later clarified by releasing a video warning about the perils of nuclear conflict, a video that did not receive approval from the White House. Vice President J.D. Vance had earlier provided a strong defense of Gabbard on social media.

Since her testimony, the former Democratic congresswoman has been excluded from the Situation Room and other strategic discussions between Trump and senior military officials, although they have downplayed her absence as unrelated to his dissatisfaction with her comments.

“Does she have all the requisite skills and experience? No. However, she is someone who has the president’s attention. I still believe she has [his] trust and confidence because we must not waver,” Flynn remarked.

Flynn, who previously worked for former President Barack Obama before being appointed by President Trump as his chief national security advisor during the initial term, suggested that individuals within the intelligence community might have attempted to prevent a conflict with Iran by permitting Gabbard to provide testimony that contradicted Trump’s claim that Iran is on the verge of developing nuclear capabilities.

“I believe that specific testimony, in which she stated that Iran does not possess nuclear weapons, to me… and I firmly believe this, I will express it here: That was a setup,” he claimed. “She’s only been in the position for a few weeks. She has taken what the intelligence, the most knowledgeable individuals in our intelligence community, have said regarding this matter, and she presents it. Until she can acclimate and understand the situation and assemble a trustworthy team around her… Below the level of the top officials — the Cabinet members, the few individuals who were appointed to the positions — the majority of those individuals were appointed by Obama, and subsequently reinforced by the Biden administration.”

Flynn clarified that the ranks of national intelligence were expanded with “special government employees” by the two Democratic former presidents, a designation that Trump assigned to Elon Musk, enabling him to serve in the government for 180 days before he is required to depart.

“It is astonishing that you are suggesting Tulsi Gabbard might have received some inaccurate information to instigate tensions there,” Johnson remarked, referencing Signalgate and the prevalent notion among conservatives that there is still no clarification regarding how a liberal journalist was included in a confidential group chat with Trump’s senior military officials.

Flynn further stated that he is speaking from personal experience.

“This occurred to me. During my tenure as the director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, my testimony… was altered, and the White House had modified it. They wanted me to convey a specific narrative that Obama was discussing at that time.”

That is the reason why “I was dismissed,” he explained.