How Trump's secret war plans were leaked in a group chat
Mar 25, 2025
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A major security blunder unfolded when a key Trump administration group chat revealed plans for a U.S. bombing campaign, exposing serious implications for national security. The accidental inclusion of a journalist raised questions about accountability and the reliability of communication platforms. Additionally, a deep dive into the complexities of masculinity and its portrayal in media sparks discussions on societal expectations for young boys. The podcast also explores the impact of technology on childhood and storytelling’s role in prompting social change.
The accidental inclusion of a journalist in a sensitive group chat exposed severe lapses in national security protocols among Trump's administration.
The podcast critiques the use of unsecured messaging platforms like Signal for discussing sensitive topics, emphasizing the threat to accountability and transparency.
Deep dives
The Signal Group Chat Blunder
The episode details a significant mishap involving a group text created on Signal, where a prominent journalist accidentally received sensitive war plans from senior U.S. national security officials. The inclusion of Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of a magazine critical of Donald Trump, in this conversation led to the premature dissemination of classified information regarding U.S. military actions in Yemen. This event raises alarming questions about the oversight and discretion exercised by key figures in the administration, highlighting a severe lapse in judgment in utilizing an unsecured messaging platform for national security discussions. The podcast underscores the absurdity of such an egregious mistake, likening it to adding an inappropriate guest to a family group chat but on a global security scale.
Concerns Over Communication Security
The discussion critiques the use of Signal for discussing national security matters, illustrating that it lacks the accountability and transparency required for such serious topics. Unlike secure communication channels used in face-to-face National Security meetings, the unsecured nature of Signal raises the potential for critical information to be leaked, thereby endangering lives. The podcast emphasizes the disconnect between security protocols and the careless manner in which conversations are handled by high-ranking officials, urging a reevaluation of communication practices within government operations. This concern is amplified by the potential consequences that could arise from the casual use of emojis and informal language while discussing sensitive military strategies.
Official Responses and Denials
The episode highlights the responses from Mike Waltz, who added Goldberg to the group, and Pete Hegseth, who downplayed the situation by denying that war plans were communicated. Hegseth's dismissal of the gravity of the situation, accompanied by typical Trump-era rhetoric, reveals a culture of defensiveness rather than accountability for national security missteps. Jeffrey Goldberg countered these claims, asserting that he indeed received detailed plans regarding military operations just moments before they were enacted, reflecting the severity of the breach. This interaction pinpoints a deeper issue of trust and responsibility within the administration, suggesting that the focus is less on rectifying mistakes and more on deflecting criticism.
The Broader Implications for U.S. Policy
The podcast addresses the broader implications of the incident, showcasing a dismissive attitude towards traditional alliances and international relationships, particularly with Europe. The casual conversations shared in the group chat expose an underlying contempt and lack of seriousness regarding foreign policy, emphasizing how these sentiments might alienate allies critical to U.S. interests. The rhetoric surrounding military operations and the targeting of nations like Yemen raises further questions about ethical decision-making in U.S. foreign policy. Insights into the group's dynamics reflect a troubling disconnect between policy decisions and their global consequences, provoking critical discussions surrounding the governance and diplomatic strategies of the current administration.
In the days before a US bombing campaign against the Houthis in Yemen, key members of Trumps administration began to plan the attack in a group chat. They accidentally invited a top journalist into the group - in what has become one of the all time best security fuck ups ever. Will anyone pay the price? What will Trump do now ? And do Europeans still trust America with their security?
Later, we are joined by the Adolescence writer and creator Jack Thorne - what does he want to see happen for the future of young men and boys?
Editor: Tom Hughes
Executive Producer: Louis Degenhardt
Producer: Natalie Indge
Digital Editor: Michaela Walters
Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell
Video Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal
Digital Journalist: Michael Baggs
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