The growing controversy dubbed “Signalgate” has deepened with new revelations that top members of President Donald Trump’s Cabinet not only discussed sensitive military plans over Signal, but also may have exposed themselves to foreign surveillance through leaked personal data.
The original scandal erupted Monday, after The Atlantic published a report alleging that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth shared classified war plans in a Signal group chat—plans which reportedly included specifics about military strikes targeting Houthi rebels in Yemen. The chat, astonishingly, included a journalist, raising serious concerns about operational security.
More: Trump Ally Urges GOP to Threaten Judges Who Block MAGA Agenda: “Sword Over Their Heads”
More: Pete Hegseth Breaks Silence, Slams Journalist After Explosive Leak Report
At a hearing this week, Trump officials, including Tulsi Gabbard, who served as CIA Director, and John Ratcliffe, Trump’s Director of National Intelligence, disputed claims that the information was classified. However, both declined to elaborate on the chat’s contents.
The scandal escalated further on Wednesday after German news outlet Der Spiegel reported that the phone numbers, passwords, and personal data of several senior officials involved—including Hegseth, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, and Gabbard—were publicly accessible online.
“Most of the publicly accessible numbers and email addresses are likely still being used by those affected,” the report stated. “Some are linked to profiles on Instagram and LinkedIn, among others. Dropbox accounts and profiles in apps that track traffic data were created with them. WhatsApp profiles, and in some cases even Signal accounts, can be found for the respective phone numbers.”
The outlet warned that this breach represents “another serious security vulnerability in Washington that was previously unknown.” As of Wednesday, Der Spiegel confirmed that Signal accounts tied to Gabbard and Waltz’s still-public phone numbers remained online.
More: “Like Ordering a Pizza”: Senator Slams Trump Officials for Casual Chat About Secret War Plans on Signal
More: “Reckless and Ruinous”: Trump Adviser Who Leaked War Plans May Be Ousted After Adding Journalist to Secret Chat
The implications of this data exposure are potentially dire. According to the report, hostile intelligence agencies could exploit the leaked information to install spyware on the devices used by these officials, potentially gaining access to high-level communications.
“It is therefore conceivable that foreign agents were reading along as Gabbard, Waltz, and Hegseth discussed a military strike with others in a Signal chat,” the report added, through a translation.
As investigations into “Signalgate” continue, the incident is rapidly becoming not just a political headache for Trump’s Cabinet, but a profound warning about digital security and foreign surveillance vulnerabilities within the highest levels of U.S. leadership.
READ NEXT:
- Omar Stirs Controversy with Profane Response to Reporter on Deportation Case
- ‘That Man Loves Me So Much’: Meghan Markle Calls Prince Harry Her ‘Super Mario Hero’ in Tearful Tribute to Their Dream Life
- George Clooney’s Wife Drawn Into ICC Clash as Trump Officials Tighten Travel Rules
- “The First 100 Days: Mom & Press Sec Edition” – Karoline Leavitt Opens Up About Balancing the Podium and Parenthood
- Meghan Markle Caught Out After Making Major Power Move That’s Turning Heads