Crystabel Ukwuegbu
This past week, former President Donald Trump was confronted with an unexpected controversy when he learned that a journalist he strongly dislikes had been mistakenly added to a private group chat discussing classified military operations. However, one aspect of the situation required clarification for him: the app being used for these discussions.
Before Monday, Trump had no prior knowledge of Signal, the encrypted messaging platform where high-ranking officials, including his national security adviser, defense secretary, vice president, and chief of staff, had been communicating about planned military actions in Yemen. Since Trump has only recently begun using text messaging, an aide had to explain how the platform had been utilized for confidential discussions regarding military strategies and attack details.
As the week progressed, Trump became more familiar with the app, as well as the controversy surrounding it. He also developed a clearer perspective on whom he held responsible. “I was told it was Mike,” he stated, referring to National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, who had reportedly added the journalist to the chat.
The incident has frustrated Trump, particularly because he views it as a blemish on what he considers a strong start to his second term. Speaking earlier in the week, he referred to the situation as the first real “glitch” of his administration. His irritation was further exacerbated by his longstanding feud with Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, the journalist at the heart of the controversy.
As Trump grasped the implications of the use of Signal for sensitive government communications, he expressed concern about the risks of sharing classified information through digital platforms. He expressed a preference for traditional security methods, stating, “Ideally, everyone would be in a room together, surrounded by solid lead walls, a lead ceiling, and a lead floor. But, unfortunately, that’s not always possible.”
Following the debacle, Trump instructed his top officials to review guidelines on the use of Signal, a process expected to unfold in the coming weeks. A White House official confirmed that the former president does not have the app installed on his personal device.
Trump’s Response to the Fallout
In public, Trump sought to contain his frustration, deciding against dismissing anyone involved, as he believed doing so would be a victory for his critics. Despite his irritation, none of his senior officials resigned over the incident.
However, Trump was vocal about his dissatisfaction with how the situation unfolded. As the week went on, he personally addressed the matter several times after his aides struggled to present a unified narrative. Initially, on Tuesday, he suggested that an anonymous “lower-level staffer” may have mistakenly added Goldberg to the chat. Shrugging off the issue as a technical mishap, he stated, “Sometimes people are added, and you don’t realize it.”
By Wednesday, he shifted the blame toward Waltz, who had already accepted responsibility for the mistake. “It was Mike, I guess.”I have no idea,” Trump said, attempting to distance himself from the situation.
Meanwhile, his aides defended the use of Signal, claiming it is an “approved” means of secure communication. Yet, Trump signaled a possible change in policy, stating, “It could be a flawed platform, and we need to investigate that.”
Mixed Reactions Within and Outside the Administration
Trump and his team adopted a familiar strategy—denying major wrongdoing while shifting blame onto Goldberg and the media. “It’s all a witch hunt,” Trump declared from the Oval Office on Wednesday, using a phrase he has frequently employed in response to critical coverage.
Nonetheless, he did not seem entirely convinced that the situation was as minor as some of his advisers suggested. Speaking on the “VINCE” podcast, he noted, “Somebody in my group either made a mistake or it’s a bad signal,” indicating lingering confusion about the app.
Some high-ranking officials who were part of the chat also acknowledged the severity of the mistake. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who was traveling when the scandal unfolded, remarked, “Someone made a huge mistake by adding a journalist. No offense to journalists, but they shouldn’t be in that conversation.”
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who was also included in the chat but did not participate, reflected on the risks of digital communication. “One of the perks of being one of the older members of the Cabinet is that I still prefer picking up the phone and calling someone,” he said with a smile during a Fox News interview.
Vice President JD Vance, who had expressed concerns in the chat about the timing of the military operation, later argued that the discussions merely reflected an attempt by senior advisers to ensure they were aligned in their messaging. “What that leak revealed was private deliberation among senior advisers about how best to prepare the American public for what we believed was necessary,” he said during a trip to Greenland.
Investigation and Potential Consequences
Within the White House, the primary blame has been placed on Waltz, as screenshots of the chat indicate he was responsible for adding Goldberg. Waltz was among the first to inform Trump about the error, yet he has not fully clarified how it occurred, at times suggesting Goldberg might have been “accidentally drawn into” the conversation.
The National Security Council, the White House counsel’s office, and Elon Musk—who has been tasked with modernizing federal operations—have launched an inquiry into the incident. As of Friday, no official conclusions had been announced, but Vance assured the public that an update would be released “soon.”
While much of the controversy has centered on Waltz’s mistake, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s actions have also raised concerns. He reportedly shared a detailed timeline of the planned attack in the chat, which national security experts argue would typically be classified. When asked about Hegseth’s involvement, Trump dismissed concerns, stating, “How do you bring Hegseth into this? He had nothing to do with it.”
Calls for Accountability
Both inside and outside Washington, Trump’s allies expressed dissatisfaction with the administration’s handling of the incident. Senator Kevin Cramer, a Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, stated, “I hope someone takes responsibility, apologizes, and ensures this doesn’t happen again. That’s what responsible adults do.”
Dave Portnoy, founder of Barstool Sports and a Trump supporter, was even more direct: “Somebody has to take the fall for this,” he said in an online rant.
On Thursday, the Senate Armed Services Committee formally requested an inquiry by the Pentagon’s acting inspector general.
Despite the controversy, Trump continues to back Waltz, stating that he retains confidence in his national security adviser. However, the political fallout has affected Republican efforts to retain Waltz’s former congressional seat in Florida. With concerns over the party’s narrow majority in the House, Trump personally intervened to support Republican candidate Randy Fine, emphasizing the importance of the race in multiple tele-rallies.
“The entire country is watching this,” Trumpsaid in one of his calls, underscoring the stakes in the upcoming election.
