Waltz attacks Atlantic journalist over war plan chat, says they 'never met'
White House national security adviser Mike Waltz on Tuesday sought to distance himself from Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg, who was mistakenly included in a group chat with Waltz and other officials about plans for a military strike.
Waltz, who has come under scrutiny for Goldberg's inclusion in the group, said during a meeting with President Trump and ambassadors at the White House that he "never met" Goldberg.
"There's a lot of journalists in this city who have made big names for themselves making up lies about this president," Waltz said. "Whether it's the Russia hoax or making up lies about Gold Star families, and this one in particular I've never met, don't know, never communicated with, and we are looking into and reviewing how the heck he got into this room."
It was Waltz's first public comments since news broke Monday that Goldberg had been included in a group on the Signal app that included Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and others.
The National Security Council earlier this week confirmed the authenticity of the messages and said it is reviewing how Goldberg got into the chat.
Trump earlier Tuesday told NBC News it was his understanding that Goldberg was added through Waltz's phone. But the president has tamped down talk that the incident could cost Waltz his job.
"He's a very good man, and he will continue to do a good job," Trump said during the meeting with ambassadors, gesturing to Waltz.