The leak of the US’ detailed plan to strike Houthi targets in Yemen on an encrypted messaging app signal put the Donald Trump administration in a tough spot while defense secretary Pete Hegseth brushed aside the allegations and said no war plan was being discussed. Hegseth discredited Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg who claimed that he was mistakenly added to the group where the war plans were leaked.
Apart from the massive breach, which the White House has not denied, the chats — now viral — revealed the true feelings of Trump officials about Europe.
JD Vance says ‘I just hate bailing Europe out again’
As the ‘Houthi PC small group’ on Signal started discussing the war plans, JD Vance said he thought it was going to be a mistake. “3 percent of US trade runs through the suez. 40 percent of European trade does. There is a real risk that the public doesn’t understand this or why it’s necessary. The strongest reason to do this is, as POTUS said, to send a message.”
“I am not sure the president is aware how inconsistent this is with his message on Europe right now. There’s a further risk that we see a moderate to severe spike in oil prices. I am willing to support the consensus of the team and keep these concerns to myself. But there is a strong argument for delaying this a month, doing the messaging work on why this matters, seeing where the economy is, etc.”
Hegseth replied to JD Vance and said he fully supported him.
“If you think we should do it let’s go. I just hate bailing Europe out again,” JD Vance said.
“VP: I fully share your loathing of European free-loading. It’s PATHETIC. But Mike is correct, we are the only ones on the planet (on our side of the ledger) who can do this. Nobody else even close. Question is timing. I feel like now is as good a time as any, given POTUS directive to reopen shipping lanes. I think we should go; but POTUS still retains 24 hours of decision space,” Hegseth said. Mike is national security adviser Mike Waltz who said it will have to be the US that reopens these shipping lanes.
“Whether it’s now or several weeks from now, it will have to be the United States that reopens these shipping lanes. Per the president’s request we are working with DOD and State to determine how to compile the cost associated and levy them on the Europeans,” Mike said in between.
Fist, American flag and fire
Another aspect of the leaked chats that went viral are the emojis that were shared in the group after the US dropped bombs on Houthis. The Atlantic journalist shared a screenshot of Mike Waltz responding wth three emojis: a fist, an America flag and fire. US special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff responded with five emojis: two hands praying, a flexed bicep, and two American flags.
