politics

Tulsi Gabbard shares story of husband's cancer diagnosis: 'It was tough'

Updated on: August 20, 2026 / 10:10 AM EDT / CBS News

Tulsi Gabbard shares story of husband's cancer diagnosis: 'It was tough'

TL;DR

  • Tulsi Gabbard's husband, Abraham Williams, was diagnosed with a rare sacral chordoma on his tailbone after experiencing back pain.
  • Williams underwent an eight-hour surgery to remove the tumor, and doctors believe all cancerous bone and tissue were removed.
  • He is currently undergoing rigorous physical therapy and requires frequent MRIs to monitor for cancer recurrence.
  • Gabbard resigned as director of national intelligence in June, leading to a contentious replacement process involving Bill Pulte and Jay Clayton.
  • During Gabbard's tenure, ODNI underwent significant restructuring, including staff reductions and office consolidations, which critics argue may have weakened its capacity.