Hegseth Accuses Journalist of ‘Peddling Hoaxes’ Over Yemen War Plans Miscommunication

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth accused Jeffrey Goldberg of The Atlantic of spreading hoaxes after a chat error led to the sharing of Yemen war plans. Hegseth labeled Goldberg as deceitful and questioned his journalistic credibility, asserting that no actual war plans were communicated during the exchange.

United States Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has made serious allegations against Jeffrey Goldberg, Editor-in-Chief of The Atlantic, accusing him of “peddling hoaxes” after a miscommunication by Trump’s national security team that included Goldberg in their group chat about Yemen’s war strategies. This incident occurred during Hegseth’s inaugural Indo-Pacific trip as defence secretary in Hawaii, prompting his comments that questioned Goldberg’s journalistic integrity.

Hegseth openly criticized Goldberg, deeming him “deceitful” and referring to him as a “so-called journalist.” He firmly dismissed the claims of war plans being shared, stating, “Nobody was texting war plans, and that’s all I have to say about that.” Moreover, he expressed his disdain for Goldberg’s reputation, asserting, “This is the guy who peddles in garbage,” yet he refrained from explaining why a secure platform like Signal was utilized for sensitive discussions or how Goldberg was integrated into the chat.

The exchange underscores the heightened sensitivities around information sharing within government circles and the implications when journalists are involved without context. Hegseth’s remarks highlight a broader discussion about media ethics and the potential pitfalls of miscommunication in delicate environments.

In summary, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s accusations against Jeffrey Goldberg shed light on the tensions between government officials and the media. The incident illustrates the crucial importance of clear communication in sensitive operations and highlights ongoing debates about journalistic integrity in reporting on national security issues.

Original Source: www.independent.co.uk