Is This for Real?
Apparently, yes. This is how U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz greeted the Signal message about the bombing of Houthi targets in Yemen on Sunday, March 15, which killed 53 people.
In the circumstances, a rather childish expression of braggadocio.
This boastfulness was revealed by Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, in a strange story about an exchange of messages he observed on Signal between U.S. national security officials, including the secretaries of defence, state, and treasury, as well as the director of the CIA. His account appeared in The Atlantic on March 24.
In an odd twist, Goldberg had become a recipient on Signal of the exchanges between this top-level group of senior officials regarding the preparation and execution of a plan to bomb the Houthis. Most participants in the conversation seemed eager to proceed with the bombing, with one notable exception: Vice President Vance. Apparently, he was against it—at least for the moment—writing: “Team, I am out for the day doing an economic event in Michigan. But I think we are making a mistake … 3 percent of U.S. 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.”
Later, Vance responded to Secretary of Defence Hegseth: “If you think we should do it, let’s go. I just hate bailing Europe out again.” He viewed the Houthis as primarily Europe’s problem, given Europe’s significant trade through the Red Sea. Hegseth replied: “VP: I fully share your loathing of European free-loading. It’s PATHETIC.”
Well, as we now know, the bombing operation went ahead that weekend. After its success, the Signal participants began their boastful—yet rather childish—celebrations. Among them were not only Mike Waltz but also Steven Witkoff, who, according to Goldberg’s account, greeted the news with these emojis: two hands praying, a flexed bicep, and two American flags.
Goldberg’s revelations offer an unexpected glimpse into the alarmingly lax and callous way such critical decisions are made by top U.S. decision-makers. Apparently, these choices require little of their time—just hasty decisions, made without much thought. It’s almost like a caricature of the revolver-toting hero mentality found in a Hollywood B-movie.
Or is it, after all, a hoax? One would almost hope so.