Karoline Leavitt targets Atlantic editor, Elon Musk, to probe leaked chat
A heated exchange unfolds between White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and The Atlantic's editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg over a controversial group chat containing sensitive military information.
According to The New York Post, Leavitt launched a scathing attack on Goldberg during Wednesday's press briefing, labeling him a "discredited," "anti-Trump sensationalist reporter" while addressing the administration's group chat leak regarding Yemen airstrikes.
The controversy has sparked bipartisan concerns about information security within the Trump administration. Despite mounting pressure, President Trump and his team remain steadfast in their decision not to terminate any staff members involved in the incident, viewing such action as potentially giving Democrats a political advantage.
Signal App Usage Sparks National Security Debate
The encrypted messaging app Signal has become a focal point of the controversy after being used by Trump administration officials to discuss military operations.
Leavitt defended the platform as an approved application for government communication, particularly when access to Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities is limited. The press secretary emphasized the app's security features and its widespread use among government officials.
White House officials maintain that proper protocols were followed despite the leak. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth continues to assert that no classified information was compromised in the group chat, even as Goldberg releases additional message content detailing mission specifics. The administration's stance has drawn skepticism from security experts and opposition lawmakers.
Department of Government Efficiency head Elon Musk has stepped forward to assist in the investigation. His technical team will examine how Goldberg's contact information found its way into the sensitive communication channel, aiming to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Past Controversies Cloud Current Investigation
Press Secretary Leavitt delivered a strong rebuke of Goldberg's journalistic credibility, stating:
We are not going to bend in the face of this insincere outrage. Democrats and the media are backing a coordinated campaign to try and sow chaos in this White House.
The administration has highlighted several previous controversies involving Goldberg, including his reporting on weapons of mass destruction before the Iraq War and various Trump-related stories.
These past incidents form the basis of their argument against the credibility of his current reporting on the Signal group chat leak.
White House Investigation Takes Shape
Multiple government entities are now involved in examining the breach. The White House counsel's office and National Security Council have launched reviews, though specific details about their respective roles remain unclear. The involvement of Musk's technical experts adds another layer to the investigation's scope and complexity.
National security adviser Mike Waltz, who originally added Goldberg to the group chat, has emerged as a central figure in the controversy.
The incident has raised questions about information handling protocols within the administration and the potential exposure of sensitive operational details.
Defense officials continue pushing back against claims of compromised security. Hegseth specifically addressed concerns about the nature of shared information, stating:
There's no units, no locations, no routes, no flight paths, no sources, no methods, no classified information. Nobody is texting war plans.
Yemen Strike Communication Breach
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confronted allegations of compromised security protocols after The Atlantic's Jeffrey Goldberg gained access to sensitive military communications about Yemen airstrikes through a Signal group chat.
The incident exposed potential vulnerabilities in the administration's information security measures while highlighting ongoing tensions between the White House and media organizations.
The controversy continues to evolve as multiple investigations proceed, with both the White House counsel's office and National Security Council examining the breach.
Elon Musk's technical team has joined the effort to determine how Goldberg's number was added to the sensitive communication channel, while administration officials maintain their stance that no classified information was compromised during the incident.