Trump's top allies privately fume about his 'MAGA attack dog' pick for intel chief: 'He continually f***s things up'

By JON MICHAEL RAASCH, WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT Published: 15:24, 3 June 2026 | Updated: 15:25, 3 June 2026 Republican allies are skeptical about Donald Trump's appointment of a 38-year-old housing financier as the new director of national intelligence. Bill Pulte, director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) and chairman of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, will fill in as acting director of national intelligence (DNI), the President announced this week. Before being tapped for the housing roles, the FHFA director worked for his family's construction company the Pulte Group, which is reportedly worth over $22 billion. He also began a private equity firm and gave away money on social media.  Since joining the administration, Pulte has turned his little-known housing agency fiefdom into a cudgel against Trump's enemies by launching probes into several of the President's political opponents for mortgage fraud. He has also been a frequent flier on Air Force One and appeared at Trump's resorts and golf courses to find time to chat with the President.  Pulte spoke with Trump before the President posted a controversial meme depicting himself as Jesus, and just before Trump pitched a 50-year mortgage plan that was soon rolled back after much backlash.  And his appointment to act as the top intelligence official in the US has baffled some of Trump's closest allies because he has no experience in the field.  'The president has so many smart people at the White House, trusted people, that he could be listening to, a former Trump administration official told Politico. 'And he listens to Pulte, who just continually f***s things up.'  President Donald Trump appointed Bill Pulte, 38, the director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, to serve as acting director of national intelligence on Tuesday. Many of Trump's GOP allies were shocked by the appointment The head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, right, will replace outgoing DNI Tulsi Gabbard Senate Majority Leader John Thune reacted to Pulte's new job on Tuesday: 'We don't need a weaponized DNI; we need professionals there' Senate Majority Leader John Thune reacted to Pulte's new job on Tuesday: 'We don't need a weaponized DNI; we need professionals there.' 'Again, I just heard about it. I'll try and get more information about the current state of their thinking about that position,' the Senate GOP leader added. 'If he's somebody they want in that position permanently, he's got a - as you all know - a lengthy road ahead of him.' The President appointed Pulte to oversee the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) on an interim basis. He replaces outgoing DNI Tulsi Gabbard, who announced she is stepping down while her husband is undergoing treatment for a rare form of bone cancer.  He will be allowed to hold the position as acting DNI for 210 days, or until January 2027.  Should Trump want him in the position longer, Pulte will need to be confirmed by the Senate.   But given how many GOP Senators are concerned with his qualifications, it could be a difficult gambit to have Pulte get Senate confirmation.  'I don't see any evidence of qualifications for that job, but [I am] willing to listen,' outgoing Texas Republican Senator John Cornyn, a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said on Tuesday.  Outgoing DNI Tulsi Gabbard (R) said last week she would step down to spend time with her husband Abraham (L) as he gets treatment for a rare form of bone cancer North Carolina Republican Senator Thom Tillis reacted: 'I didn't know he had any national security experience.'  Trump floated the idea of bringing Pulte in to serve as his intelligence chief over the weekend, sources told the Wall Street Journal, adding they were surprised to see the President follow through.  Pulte has also feuded with one of the President's most trusted advisers.  Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reportedly told Pulte in the fall that he would 'punch you in your f***ing face' after the Treasury chief caught wind of the housing financier badmouthing him to Trump.  'Why the f*** are you talking to the President about me? F*** you,' Bessent reportedly told Pulte at a dinner with many Cabinet officials in September. 'I'm gonna punch you in your f***ing face.'  Bessent has not commented on the alleged incident.  No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. 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