White House Press Briefing Turns Hostile Amid Group Chat Controversy
A White House press briefing led by Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt opened with a sharp rebuke of Atlantic editor Jeffrey Goldberg and his spouse, escalating the ongoing Signal group chat dispute. This contentious exchange occurred shortly after the release of the full transcript of a Signal conversation involving Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, among other high-ranking officials, which took place prior to the military action against Houthi rebels in Yemen. The unauthorized inclusion of Goldberg in this chat has sparked a significant political controversy.
Leavitt Attacks Journalist Over Leaked Chat
Leavitt faced a barrage of inquiries regarding the sensitive details disclosed in the text exchange, specifically concerning weapons systems and attack strategies. These questions arose after intelligence officials faced scrutiny over the disclosed information, which Republican Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker asserted should have remained classified.
Speaking from the White House podium, Leavitt launched a personal attack, labeling Goldberg as an ‘anti-Trump critic.’ She further stated, ‘He is a registered Democrat. Goldberg’s wife is also a registered Democrat and a significant Democrat donor who previously served under Hillary Clinton.’
Wife of Journalist Dragged Into Spat
This remark brought Goldberg’s wife, Pamela Reeves, into the public row. Reeves previously directed the International Fund for Women and Girls at the State Department during Clinton’s tenure as Secretary of State. Her background also includes serving as a human rights officer for the UN in Liberia during its civil war.
Echoing Trump’s Disdain for Goldberg
The personal criticisms directed at Goldberg, who published a detailed account of the ‘war plans’ group chat, mirrored language used by former President Trump, who previously called the journalist a ‘scumbag.’ Leavitt asserted that Goldberg had ‘discredited himself by ludicrously claiming that President Trump was Vladimir Putin during the 2016 campaign by promoting the Russia collusion narrative… and inventing the “suckers and losers” hoax… and promoting a hoax about President Trump involving Gold Star families… all vigorously denied by our campaign at the time.’
Recalling “Losers” Cemetery Claim
Leavitt referenced a 2020 Atlantic article penned by Goldberg, alleging that Trump cancelled a visit to the Aisne-Marne American cemetery in France due to inclement weather, reportedly asking, ‘Why should I go to that cemetery? It’s filled with losers.’
Trump has consistently refuted this account, though former Chief of Staff Gen. John Kelly substantiated the claims in both 2023 and 2024.
Press Corps Presses for Answers on Chat Leak
Reporters repeatedly questioned Leavitt about the group chat incident. During the briefing, displaying apparent irritation, she mentioned that service members would face ‘consequences,’ while Waltz seemed to be receiving lenient treatment.
‘I have now addressed the same question using different phrasing multiple times. If anyone has a different inquiry, there are numerous other global events unfolding. We anticipate potential tariff implementations later today, a topic the President will address at four o’clock this afternoon,’ she stated.
She then immediately recognized a conservative TV reporter whose question began with: ‘I wanted to first and foremost thank the administration for the election integrity law executive order, because so many journalists for four years were prohibited from discussing this very subject.’
Briefing Abruptly Concluded
Approximately 22 minutes into the briefing, Leavitt announced its early conclusion, citing an impending speech by Vice President Vance. ‘I would hate to counter program the Vice President of the United States,’ she remarked.