A significant and alarming security breach has unfurled in the United States as Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor of The Atlantic, inadvertently found himself a member of a secret government group chat consisting of high-ranking officials from President Donald Trump's administration. This unexpected inclusion granted him real-time access to sensitive military discussions, including plans for an airstrike against the Iran-aligned Huthi militia in Yemen.
The incident unfolded on March 11, 2025, when a user claiming to be Trump's National Security Advisor, Michael Waltz, sent a contact request to Goldberg via the encrypted messaging app Signal. Initially skeptical of the identity of the sender, Goldberg proceeded to accept the request, only to be invited two days later, on March 13, into a group chat that included numerous significant figures from the Trump administration.
At first, Goldberg doubted the authenticity of the group, considering it absurd that such prominent officials would communicate through an app not sanctioned for confidential discussions. However, as chats progressed, he observed discussions about tactical military plans and the execution timeline for an airstrike set to take place on March 15, shortly after 11:00 AM.
Goldberg detailed that in the lead-up to the military action, Pete Hegseth, the Defense Secretary, shared explicit military plans in the chat, discussing target details and weapon systems just two hours before the airstrikes commenced. This serious breach of security protocol raised eyebrows, especially since the U.S. government has strict regulations against discussing high-stakes military operations in unapproved environments.
As reports of explosions were confirmed shortly after, Goldberg recognized that the conversations were credible, and much to his surprise, left the chat without any inquiry from the group regarding his presence. Following the disclosure of this security lapse, Brian Hughes, a spokesperson for the National Security Council, acknowledged the legitimacy of the chat and announced an internal review to investigate how such a blunder could occur.
Many are questioning how a prominent editor gained access to what should have been a tightly controlled communication line regarding national security. This situation begs several inquiries into protocol breaches surrounding sensitive military planning and electronic communications within the government. It also raises serious concerns over how the administration manages confidential information, particularly involving imminent military operations.
In a parallel narrative, cultural shockwaves are rippling through the arts world as Donald Trump reasserts control over the Kennedy Center, the preeminent cultural venue in Washington, D.C. Since taking office, Trump has promised a “golden era of art and culture,” while simultaneously firing veteran staff and appointing allies to leadership positions within the organization.
András Schiff, a renowned Hungarian pianist, did not hold back in his criticism of the Trump administration's approach to culture. He described the president and his vice president, J.D. Vance, as behaving like a “crazy elephant in a china shop,” remarking on the damaging effects they are having on global politics and culture. Schiff's discontent escalated to the point where he announced he would cancel upcoming performances with major orchestras in the U.S, including the New York Philharmonic and the Philadelphia Orchestra.
The pianist attributed his decision to the cultural and political climate under Trump, expressing concerns over the censorship of artistic expression in America. Schiff noted that this march towards autocratic governance threatens the foundations of cultural and creative liberties.
Among those joining Schiff's protest is French-Canadian cellist Jean-Guihen Queyras, who plans to donate his earnings from performances in the United States to the United24 foundation that supports Ukrainian efforts against Russian aggression. Queyras stated that creativity thrives in free societies, and the growing autocratic nature of the Trump administration is eroding that freedom.
Trump’s management of the Kennedy Center has prompted outrage both nationally and globally, making headlines as he dismissed traditional values of culture and art as he promised to enforce “no drag shows or other anti-American propaganda” in the arts. According to him, the center will experience only the best going forward.
The response from professional musicians has largely been subdued but growing. Christian Tetzlaff, a German violinist, also cancelled his U.S. concerts, citing a shocking silence among his peers who are traditionally vocal about political issues. Tetzlaff emphasized that the ongoing silence from musicians and politicians during Trump’s administration is troubling, as rights and values fundamental to American identity continue to falter.
Similarly, pianist Schaghajegh Nosrati announced that she would not perform in the U.S. this fall, highlighting her discontent with the nation’s trajectory under the Trump regime. In a public statement, she expressed her unease about the growing autocracy in the United States and the resulting censorship in cultural institutions.
As these events unfold, Trump’s policies seem to indicate that the administration's aggressive breaching of established norms is far from over. With significant changes underway in the educational sector as well, as the administration seeks to devolve control significantly to individual states, many observers fear for the future of both American democracy and its rich cultural landscape.
As a tumultuous time for U.S. domestic and cultural policy continues to unfold, the incident involving Goldberg serves as a poignant reminder of potential vulnerabilities within the political framework, emphasizing the need for rigorous preservation of security protocols amidst an atmosphere of discord.
