In a heartfelt video update shared recently, Tulsi Gabbard, former director of national intelligence, revealed the current health status of her husband, Abraham Williams, following a challenging battle with cancer. Gabbard, who previously served in the Trump administration, announced her resignation in May 2026 in order to focus on caring for Williams after his diagnosis.
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This year, Williams was diagnosed with sacral chordoma, an exceptionally rare form of bone cancer that arises along the spine. Tulsi Gabbard broke the news of his condition earlier this year, prompting an outpouring of support from their community and beyond.
In the video shared on social media platform X, Gabbard disclosed that Williams had to undergo a significant surgical procedure to remove part of his sacrum and tailbone. She described the diagnosis and the subsequent surgery as “very invasive” and recounted the intense emotional experience of seeing her husband after the operation. “It was really scary, which I didn’t expect,” she shared, detailing how the anaesthesia affected his recovery.
Doctors presented Williams with two treatment options: surgery or radiation therapy. With urgent determination, the couple chose to proceed with surgery as soon as possible. Gabbard revealed her relief when she saw Williams emerging from recovery, despite the difficult post-operative phase.
In the video, she depicted Williams’ indomitable spirit, noting he was keen to begin walking shortly after the surgery, although he experienced nausea with each few steps. Remarkably, he chose to forgo narcotic pain relief in favour of facing the pain directly, highlighting his resilience during a trying recovery process.
Gabbard confirmed that the medical team was optimistic about the surgery, stating, “pathologists and the doctor said they were confident they were able to cut out all of the cancerous bone and tissue.” At this stage in his recovery, Williams is engaged in an intensive physical therapy regimen. However, Gabbard acknowledged that their journey hasn’t been smooth. She shared, “He gets frustrated a lot because he wants to be able to make progress faster, and sometimes he’s pushed a little bit too far.”
Despite the obstacles, she reported that Williams is making steady progress, although doctors have advised that he will require extensive monitoring moving forward. “He will need frequent MRIs,” Gabbard stated, underscoring the need for vigilance in his ongoing care.
Towards the conclusion of the video, Gabbard expressed her gratitude to the medical professionals who have supported Williams, alongside the outpouring of love they have received from their friends and family. As she emotionally wrapped her arms around her husband, tears evident on her face, she thanked them for their support, noting, “Mahalo for all of the love and support.”
Earlier in May, Gabbard had publicly shared her reasons for resigning from her prominent governmental role, emphasising her commitment to be by Williams’ side during such a critical time. She wrote a letter to President Trump describing her husband as her “rock” and expressing her unwavering love and support for him.
In response to her resignation, Trump noted on Truth Social that he understood her decision and praised Gabbard for her contributions as the director of national intelligence.
As Gabbard continues her journey alongside Williams, their story resonates with many, highlighting the challenges faced by families coping with a cancer diagnosis. The couple’s resilience and dedication to each other serve as an inspiring reminder of the strength found in love during times of adversity.