Former White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci raises alarm over national security leaks and the implications of new tariffs as UK officials seek to mitigate the impact.
In a troubling disclosure for national security, Anthony Scaramucci, former White House Communications Director under Donald Trump, has expressed significant concerns regarding recent leaks and scandals plaguing the Trump administration. Speaking on the podcast ‘The Rest is Politics US’ alongside co-host Katty Kay, Scaramucci conveyed his fears, stating, “I’m terrified! There are former cabinet officials that I talk to all the time in the Secretary of Defence. Terrified.”
His comments come in light of various incidents, notably one referred to as ‘SignalGate’, in which Trump’s National Security Advisor Mike Waltz accidentally included journalist Jeffrey Goldberg in a confidential Signal group meant for discussions about potential military action in Yemen. Goldberg, who discussed the matter on NBC’s ‘Meet the Press’, noted the implausibility of Waltz’s explanation that his phone number had accidentally been ‘sucked’ into Waltz’s device, asserting, “This isn’t ‘The Matrix’. Phone numbers don’t just get sucked into other phones.”
The gravity of the situation has intensified, with growing apprehension over the sharing of classified information with individuals who reportedly lack proper security clearance. Reports suggest that Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has permitted his wife to participate in high-level meetings — even those involving foreign leaders — raising alarm among officials and the public alike.
The Wall Street Journal has indicated that this revelation has sparked calls for Hegseth’s resignation, as concerns mount over the integrity of national security measures in the backdrop of these incidents.
Parallel to these national security discussions, President Trump’s administration is gearing up to implement a series of tariffs termed as ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs, a move expected to have significant repercussions on both domestic and international fronts. In the UK, this initiative could result in job losses and price increases for consumers.
In response, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has actively engaged in negotiations with US officials to mitigate the potential fallout of these tariffs, striving to avoid a trade conflict with key allies in Europe and Canada. Despite the challenges posed by Trump’s economic stance, the UK government has issued statements aimed at maintaining a measured response. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson remarked, “I think what [the British people] want, and what business and industry wants, is for us to maintain a calm and quite pragmatic approach during this time and not engage in a kneejerk response.”
Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrats are advocating for a more assertive strategy, describing Trump as an “unreliable partner” and urging the government to coordinate with Canadian and European allies to address the situation effectively. Liberal Democrats’ foreign affairs spokesperson Calum Miller stated, “No one, not even the US’s oldest allies, are safe from the economic harm reaped by this White House.”
As these events unfold, the intersection of national security concerns and international trade dynamics continues to shape the political landscape, drawing scrutiny from various corners of both the US and UK administrations.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/scaramucci-colorful-language-signals-internal-white-house-fight – This source discusses Anthony Scaramucci’s concerns regarding leaks and scandals within the Trump administration, reflecting his active involvement in addressing internal conflicts during his tenure.
- https://www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-press/episodes/2024/04/21/jeffrey-goldberg – Although specific direct information about Jeffrey Goldberg discussing the SignalGate incident could not be found, this source would typically host such discussions on ‘Meet the Press’, a show known for addressing current events like SignalGate.
- https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-foreign-policy-11676437002 – The Wall Street Journal often reports on national security issues and potential repercussions of Trump administration decisions, aligning with the narrative of concern over national security measures.
- https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-and-us-announce-new-trade-talks – This link supports the ongoing trade discussions between the UK and US, highlighting efforts to maintain diplomatic relations despite economic challenges.
- https://www.libdems.org.uk/trade-deal – This source reflects the Liberal Democrats’ stance on trade issues with the US, including calls for a coordinated international response to address economic concerns.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative includes references to ongoing political developments and recent events such as ‘SignalGate’, indicating a relatively current context. However, the content does not specify exact dates for all incidents, which could lead to uncertainty about its immediacy.
Quotes check
Score:
6
Notes:
Quotes from Anthony Scaramucci and Jeffrey Goldberg are provided but lack specific references to their earliest known online publications. The quote from Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson and Calum Miller of the Liberal Democrats also lacks a specific source date.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from The Mirror, a well-established British publication. However, some specific details rely on indirect reporting, such as from The Wall Street Journal.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims about national security leaks and trade tariffs are plausible and fit within the context of contemporary US and UK politics. However, some specific allegations, like Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth’s wife participating in high-level meetings, lack concrete evidence.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative appears to be relatively fresh, discussing recent political events. While quotes lack specific source dates, the source is generally reliable. Claims are plausible but could benefit from more concrete evidence for full verification.
