Donald Trump was reportedly furious after National Security Advisor Mike Waltz accidentally added a journalist to a private Signal group chat discussing military operations.
The blunder, which revealed sensitive plans to strike Houthi targets in Yemen, quickly became a major controversy within the Trump administration.
Sources close to the president say Trump was livid over the incident, questioning whether Waltz should remain in his role.
The Blunder That Sparked Fury
Waltz, a former official under President George W. Bush, was the center of scrutiny after he mistakenly included Atlantic editor Jeffrey Goldberg in a conversation about a planned military strike.
Goldberg later reported the leak, which included detailed information about the attack, weapons, and coordinates.
Despite Waltz taking full responsibility for the mistake, the fallout was significant, and the president had some harsh words behind closed doors.
According to insiders, Trump even considered firing Waltz in response to the gaffe.
He reportedly asked his team, “Should I fire him?” as the situation unfolded.
However, the president’s decision was complicated by his desire to avoid another high-profile staff departure after the tumultuous turnover during his first term.
Waltz Survives, But for How Long?
While Waltz may have escaped immediate termination, sources close to the administration suggest that his job is still hanging by a thread.
One White House official hinted that Waltz could be let go “in a couple of weeks,” depending on the political climate.
It’s clear that Trump is still deeply upset about the situation but reluctant to fire another staff member amid the negative press that would follow.
Trump was particularly angry about the fact that Waltz had some kind of connection to Goldberg, a journalist he has frequently criticized.
After the leak, the president called Goldberg a “total sleazebag” and defended Waltz, but he didn’t hold back when it came to condemning the journalist’s role in the debacle.
Waltz’s Defensive Response
In an attempt to explain the leak, Waltz appeared on Fox News, admitting to the mistake but suggesting that Goldberg may have somehow infiltrated the group chat.
Waltz said he didn’t remember contacting Goldberg and was working with “the best technical minds” to figure out how the journalist ended up in the sensitive conversation.
“I take full responsibility,” Waltz said, but he also floated the idea that Goldberg might have deliberately maneuvered his way into the chat.
He repeatedly assured viewers that his team was investigating the matter thoroughly.
Despite Waltz’s attempts to deflect some of the blame, the leak has already caused major headaches for the administration, with accusations of negligence and security risks surfacing.
Trump’s Frustration with the Media and Goldberg
Trump has made it clear that he holds Goldberg, not Waltz, primarily responsible for the leak.
The president launched into an attack on The Atlantic, dismissing the publication as a “failed magazine” and accusing Goldberg of spreading “made-up stories.”
Trump also expressed frustration that the media was focusing on the leak rather than the success of the military operation.
While Trump defended his National Security Advisor publicly, he privately lashed out at the situation, criticizing the connection between his staff and a journalist he considers an enemy of his administration.
This tension only adds to Waltz’s troubles as he tries to navigate the fallout from the blunder.
Waltz Under Fire From Within the Administration
Even though Waltz managed to keep his job for now, he is far from in the clear.
Trump’s inner circle has long had reservations about Waltz’s aggressive stance on military action, particularly in relation to Iran.
Key figures like Tucker Carlson and Steve Bannon have been skeptical of his neoconservative views, which have sometimes clashed with Trump’s “America First” agenda.
After the leak, Bannon reportedly commented that Waltz’s job was secure because of the administration’s shared disdain for the “globalist media.”
Despite this, some within Trump’s team suggested that Waltz’s fate might be sealed if another opportunity for a change presents itself.
Trump’s reluctance to fire staff members too hastily, especially with the media’s intense scrutiny, has led to mixed signals about Waltz’s long-term future.
A National Security Crisis?
The leak of such sensitive military information raises serious questions about the security and trust within the Trump administration.
With critical details about military targets and strike plans revealed, some officials have questioned Waltz’s handling of his duties.
One anonymous source went as far as to call him a “leaker” and a “traitor.”
Yet, despite the controversy, Waltz’s spokesperson insists that he remains a valued member of the team.
The spokesperson criticized the unnamed sources fueling the drama, calling their claims “gossip” and reaffirming that Waltz continues to serve at Trump’s pleasure.
Moving Forward: The Road to Redemption
For now, Waltz’s future remains uncertain. He may have avoided immediate dismissal, but the White House is still dealing with the fallout from the leak.
While Trump has made it clear he doesn’t want to “give the press a scalp,” as one source put it, Waltz’s time in the National Security Advisor role could be short-lived if the situation continues to spiral.
As Trump continues to face both internal and external pressure, it’s unclear how the fallout from this debacle will affect the administration’s national security strategy moving forward.
For now, Waltz is left trying to salvage his reputation, hoping that the storm will pass without further damaging his career.