The scandal revealed earlier this week, in which The Atlantic revealed that several Trump cabinet members discussed attack plans on the app Signal and accidentally added a journalist to that chat, has spiraled the way the most significant presidential scandals often do.
On Wednesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt tried to stop the bleeding, and the results were less than successful.
In a White House briefing, Leavitt ludicrously called the story a “misinformation campaign.”
“If this story proves anything, it proves that Democrats and their propagandists in the mainstream media know how to fabricate, orchestrate, and disseminate a misinformation campaign quite well,” she said. She also accused Goldberg of using “hoaxes” and stating that both Goldberg and his wife are “registered Democrats.”
WH calls Signal story a “misinformation campaign,” attacks Goldberg and his wife
— Nikki McCann Ramírez (@nikkimcr.bsky.social) March 26, 2025 at 1:18 PM
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It’s unclear where the “misinformation” or “fabrication” is, as the messages in the Signal chain are authentic, as has been confirmed by multiple people who participated, including some who have testified to that effect before Congress. Also, there’s no evidence that Goldberg entered the chat through any nefarious means; The Atlantic has published screenshots showing that the account of Mike Waltz, the National Security Adviser, sent the invitation to the Signal group to Goldberg.
It’s also not clear why Goldberg and his wife’s party registration are relevant; is the White House proposing a standard where Democrats are no longer allowed to work as journalists?
Also, in the briefing, Leavitt refused to take a question from CNN White House correspondent Kaitlan Collins:
Karoline Leavitt refused a good follow up question from Kaitlan Collins.
Leavitt is as rude as her boss and it’s also crystal clear she knows she is full of shit.
— CALL TO ACTIVISM (@CalltoActivism) March 26, 2025
There was much social media mockery of Leavitt’s spin on the story.
“The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.”
— Ghost 🌙✨ (@immaterial-ghost.bsky.social) March 26, 2025 at 9:14 PM
This quote from Karoline Leavitt epitomizes the hubris of the Trump admin. “We did nothing wrong & are going to shame YOU but actually please don’t release the thing that definitely WON’T make us look bad” is not a good strategy. And yet it’s…completely predictable. pic.twitter.com/XKMENMNqNz
— Billy Binion (@billybinion) March 26, 2025
Photo courtesy of X screengrab
