

John 'Tig' Tiegen on What REALLY Happened in Benghazi
Guest Bio
John "Tig" Tiegen is a former Marine and security contractor best known for his role as one of the six men who fought to defend the U.S. diplomatic compound and CIA annex during the 2012 Benghazi attack. As co-author of the New York Times bestseller 13 Hours, Tig has spent the last decade exposing what really happened on the ground that night—cutting through political narratives and media spin. With raw honesty and unshakable resolve, Tig continues to share the truth about the events of Benghazi, leadership failures, and what it means to fight for something bigger than yourself.
Episode Summary
In this gripping and emotional episode, John “Tig” Tiegen walks us through the harrowing events of Benghazi on September 11, 2012. He shares what it was like to be on the ground when everything went wrong—from the missed warnings to the fatal “stand down” order. Tig explains how brotherhood, training, and sheer determination helped six men withstand overwhelming odds while the U.S. government failed to act. This isn’t just a war story—it’s a personal account of betrayal, courage, and the cost of speaking truth to power. If you think you know the story of Benghazi, think again.
In This Episode, You’ll Discover…
- What actually happened during the attack on the U.S. consulate and CIA annex in Benghazi
- The truth behind the infamous “stand down” order
- How politics and bureaucracy cost lives that night
- The emotional and mental toll of surviving when others didn’t
- What brotherhood and leadership look like under fire
- How John found purpose after the battlefield
- Why telling the truth matters more than protecting an agenda
Connect with John "Tig" Tiegen
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tigtiegen/
- Book: 13 Hours: The Inside Account of What Really Happened in Benghazi
Watch this episode on YouTube at www.ImpactNow.com/118 or listen to this powerful firsthand account here from a man who lived through one of the most controversial and misunderstood events in modern U.S. history.
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