Trump Nearly Fired Mike Waltz Over Signal Chat Leak – Here’s What Happened
President Donald Trump reportedly considered firing National Security Adviser Mike Waltz after an embarrassing leak from a Signal chat exposed sensitive military discussions. However, Trump ultimately decided against it, largely to prevent his critics from celebrating the move, according to sources close to the White House.
Why It Matters
The leak of sensitive military strike details raised concerns within the administration, but Trump was reportedly more frustrated over the fact that Waltz had journalist Jeffrey Goldberg’s number saved in his phone. The decision to keep Waltz, for now, has also highlighted the internal power struggles and political tensions among Trump’s top advisers.
Trump’s Reaction to the Leak
According to insiders, Trump was furious after the Signal chat leak, which revealed classified discussions about U.S. military operations. While the leak itself was damaging, Trump’s anger intensified when he discovered that Waltz had unintentionally added The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, to the chat. This misstep allowed sensitive information to be exposed, leading to major embarrassment for the administration.
Waltz’s attempt to explain the situation on Fox News’ Laura Ingraham show only made matters worse. During the interview, he claimed, “We’re going to figure out how this happened,” despite being directly responsible for the error. Trump, watching the interview, was unimpressed and reportedly fumed at Waltz’s lack of accountability.
Why Waltz Wasn’t Fired
In Trump’s first term, such a mistake might have led to an immediate firing. However, sources say the former president talked himself out of it, primarily because he did not want to give the media a victory. A senior White House official described the internal discussions, saying:
“We all know that you don’t give the mob what it wants.”
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The idea of firing Waltz was set aside, at least for now, with one insider remarking, “Mike is gonna make it. Now it’s up to Mike to make things better.”
Internal Conflicts and Struggles
Despite keeping his position, Waltz is still facing friction within the administration. He has struggled to transition from his role as a congressman to a White House adviser, where he is surrounded by influential figures, including:
- Vice President JD Vance
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio
- Trump’s foreign policy envoy, Steve Witkoff
Many in Trump’s inner circle remain skeptical about Waltz, particularly “America First” conservatives who have long viewed him as being too closely tied to neoconservative policies.
Tensions with JD Vance and Marco Rubio
While on a recent trip to Greenland, JD Vance reportedly advised Waltz on the need to work more collaboratively within the administration. According to sources, Marco Rubio has also expressed frustration with Waltz’s performance and decision-making.
Additionally, Steve Bannon and Tucker Carlson, two of the most influential voices in the America First movement, have long been wary of Waltz’s neoconservative leanings. Bannon, in particular, has openly criticized Waltz’s hires, viewing them as out of step with Trump’s populist agenda.
The Bigger Picture
The controversy surrounding Waltz’s Signal chat blunder is just one part of the larger internal battles unfolding in Trump’s second term. While the administration remains focused on national security and foreign policy, personal rivalries and ideological clashes continue to shape the dynamics within the White House.
Waltz may have survived this crisis, but his future in the Trump administration remains uncertain. For now, his ability to rebuild trust and avoid further mistakes will determine whether he can maintain his position in the long run.
Final Thoughts
While Trump ultimately decided to keep Waltz in his role, the situation exposed tensions within the administration and underscored the high stakes of White House decision-making. Whether Waltz can recover from this misstep remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: his every move will be closely watched from now on.
