According to a report in The Guardian, a series of improbable errors involving an Apple iPhone feature led to the ‘Signalgate’ scandal, where sensitive information about US military operations in Yemen was leaked to The Atlantic magazine. The report cites a White House investigation.
Jeffrey Goldberg, editor of The Atlantic, published exclusive details last month based on conversations among high-ranking officials in a private Signal group chat. He claimed National Security Adviser Mike Waltz was his source. A White House investigation followed, but President Donald Trump reportedly decided against firing Waltz.
The Guardian’s Sunday report, based on three sources familiar with the investigation, details the findings. The leak originated from an email Goldberg sent to Trump’s presidential campaign in October, seeking comment on a story critical of Trump.
Brian Hughes, then a campaign spokesperson and now with the National Security Council, shared portions of Goldberg’s email, including Goldberg’s contact information, with Waltz via text. Waltz’s iPhone then prompted him to save Goldberg’s number under Hughes’ contact, which he did. As a result, an invitation to the Signal chat about military action in Yemen, intended for Hughes, was mistakenly sent to Goldberg, investigators found, according to The Guardian’s sources.
Earlier reports indicated Trump was angered by Waltz having Goldberg’s contact details, given Trump’s negative views of The Atlantic and Goldberg due to their critical coverage during his presidency.
The Guardian suggests Trump accepted Waltz’s explanation and publicly supported him after the investigation revealed the “unlikely series of events” behind the ‘Signalgate’ incident.
Goldberg’s article on Yemen detailed discussions about strikes on Houthi rebels. He reported that Vice President J.D. Vance spoke disparagingly of European allies, characterizing the military actions as a rescue operation for their Red Sea maritime trade, which is under threat from the armed group seeking to pressure Israel.