National Security Advisor Mike Waltz accidentally added Jeffrey Goldberg to a classified Signal group chat due to a contact list error, later calling it a technical mix-up while taking “full responsibility”. Waltz explained the mistake by asking, “Have you ever had somebody’s contact that shows their name…and then you have somebody else’s number there?” The chat included operational details about U.S. strikes in Yemen, shared by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, but Trump officials insist no classified material was leaked.
While no direct transcript exists, Schmitt’s Newsmax show likely echoed conservative talking points:
– : Highlighting hypocrisy, comparing Goldberg’s actions to Hillary Clinton’s email scandal. Sebastian Gorka told Newsmax Democrats ignored Clinton’s “unsecured private server” but now attack Trump’s team over “non-classified” Signal use.
– : Sen. Markwayne Mullin called the incident “blown out of proportion,” praising officials for “decisiveness” in national security matters.
– : Conservative critics labeled Goldberg “irresponsible and anti-American” for publishing the chat, accusing him of endangering troops.
The Atlantic editor-in-chief has faced Republican backlash for years over critical coverage of Trump. In this case, he withheld sensitive details but published screenshots of the Signal chat after verifying its authenticity through the Yemen strikes. Legal experts note journalists are protected under the First Amendment and Pentagon Papers precedent when handling government information.
The episode underscores ongoing tensions between Trump’s team and media outlets like The Atlantic, with conservatives framing Goldberg’s involvement as either a harmless mistake or deliberate sabotage by “leftist” press.
