Investigation Findings

After conducting an internal investigation, The White House has uncovered a possible explanation for the inclusion of Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, in a Signal chat group comprising Trump officials who were planning to bomb the Houthis. According to a report by The Guardian, the issue stemmed from National Security Advisor Mike Waltz’s lack of understanding of how his iPhone works.

The Incident Unfolds

Following Goldberg’s attempt to contact the Trump campaign in 2024 regarding a separate matter, Brian Hughes, a Trump spokesperson, shared Goldberg’s contact information and email signature with Waltz. This led to a series of events that ultimately resulted in the "Signalgate" controversy, as described by The Guardian:

Waltz did not ultimately call Goldberg, the people said, but in an extraordinary twist, inadvertently ended up saving Goldberg’s number in his iPhone – under the contact card for Hughes, now the spokesperson for the national security council.

Unintended Consequences

It appears that Waltz was unaware that his iPhone was updating an existing contact instead of creating a new one, and he accidentally added Goldberg to the group chat instead of Hughes. Although this explanation does not alter the fact that such planning should not have taken place on an encrypted messaging app without Congressional oversight, it does add a new layer of unfortunate ineptness to the situation.

Security Concerns

Not long after the Signalgate incident, the Pentagon warned against using Signal due to its vulnerability to Russian phishing attacks. However, the Trump administration seems to value the app’s security and instant communication features. Despite having more secure options available, Waltz reportedly continues to use Gmail, highlighting the administration’s inconsistent approach to cybersecurity.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the investigation has shed light on the circumstances surrounding the inclusion of Jeffrey Goldberg in the Signal chat group. While the explanation may seem implausible, it underscores the importance of understanding the technology used for sensitive communications. The incident serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance and responsible communication practices, particularly in matters of national security.