Mixed Signals from Semafor Media Jeffrey Goldberg on "SignalGate," Trump's charm offensive, and why The Atlantic is winning
Mar 13, 2026
Jeffrey Goldberg, Atlantic editor-in-chief and veteran national-security reporter, joins to unpack Signalgate and its fallout. He recounts being added to a top-secret Trump chat, why Trump later invited him to the Oval Office, and how relationships with leaders like Netanyahu shifted. He also lays out The Atlantic’s mix of scoops and longform storytelling and talks newsroom leadership and editorial strategy.
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How Signalgate Happened And Its Odd Fallout
- Jeffrey Goldberg was accidentally added to a top-secret Signal group chat of senior Trump administration officials and published the Signalgate scoop that dominated the news cycle.
- He recounts how Pete Hegseth's participation endangered pilots per the Pentagon IG and yet faced no real consequence, illustrating the episode's odd fallout.
Trump Praised The Atlantic For Attention Not Security
- After Signalgate Donald Trump invited Jeffrey Goldberg to the Oval Office and framed the episode as a contest of attention he respected Goldberg for "winning the round."
- Trump joked the national-security lesson was "don't you signal maybe," showing he viewed the scoop through the lens of media attention rather than security risk.
Trump's Oval Office Charm And Hotel Metaphor
- Goldberg describes Trump's Oval Office charm offensive, including small-talk about chandeliers and comparing the presidency to running a five-star hotel.
- The anecdote illustrates Trump's performative hospitality and hotelier view of the presidency.