Vance Shared Opposition to Trump Policy in Signal Chat

Critics of President Donald Trump saying he is only surrounded by "yes" people might have been curious to read The Atlantic's excerpts from the Signal chat, as Vice President J.D. Vance openly expressed policy opposition to Trump, seeking to delay strikes on Houthi terrorists.

"Team, I am out for the day doing an economic event in Michigan," a message labeled "JD Vance" began. "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."

Vance was apparently referring to the Gulf of Suez and suggesting the strikes on the Yemeni Houthi terrorists would be bailing out Europe and not putting America first.

Vance posted on X, rebuking The Atlantic's Jeffrey Goldberg for "overselling" the hoax, but he did not address his open criticism of Trump.

"It's very clear Goldberg oversold what he had," Vance wrote Wednesday morning, responding to the reveal. "But one thing in particular really stands out."

"Remember when he was attacking [CIA Director John] Ratcliffe for blowing the cover for a CIA agent? Turns out Ratcliffe was simply naming his chief of staff."

The latter remark was a hit on Goldberg, who said he was weighing a journalistic obligation versus the legality of releasing the transcript. Goldberg claimed he did not want to reveal an alleged undercover CIA agent. Vance mocked that it was no undercover agent at all, giving credence to Goldberg being desirous of having state secrets that were factually just not as such.

But Vance was openly critical of Trump, as Goldberg hailed in a podcast Monday.

"The strongest reason to do this is, as POTUS said, to send a message," Vance continued on the Signal group chat, then offering his criticism, suggesting Trump was not being consistent on forcing Europe to defend its own interests and not relying on the U.S. to do things for them.

"But I am not sure the president is aware how inconsistent this is with his message on Europe right now. There's a further risk that we see a moderate to severe spike in oil prices."

Vance, speaking to the chat of a handful of fellow senior Trump administration Cabinet members, said he will ultimately back the president and the team, but he wanted to express his opposition to going too hard and fast in the Middle East for the benefit of Europe first versus the potential cost for the American economy.

"I am willing to support the consensus of the team and keep these concerns to myself," Vance concluded. "But there is a strong argument for delaying this a month, doing the messaging work on why this matters, seeing where the economy is, etc."

Joe Kent, working under Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard — who was also on the chat — said the "exact same options" will be there in a month.

Ratcliffe responded the CIA were "mobilizing assets to support now" but admitted more time could help strengthen intelligence on the Houthi leaders to strike.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth then chimed in to the "VP," saying he feared if "this leaks, we look indecisive" and said if he had a "final go or no-go vote, I believe we should."

"This not about the Houthis," Hegseth concluded, showing the Trump administration Cabinet deliberations. "I see it as two things: 1) Restoring Freedom of Navigation, a core national interest; and 2) Reestablish deterrence, which Biden cratered."

"But, we can easily pause. And, if we do, I will do all we can to enforce 100% [operations security]. I welcome other thoughts."

National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, whose staffer reportedly started the Signal group chat and invited the liberal media reporter, suggested Vance's data might be underplaying the impact of Gulf of Suez shipping on the U.S., adding "European navies" do not have the ability to combat Houthi firepower, and the U.S. would ultimately have to settle things anyway.

"Per the president's request, we are working with DOD and State to determine how to compile the cost associated and levy them on the Europeans," Waltz added.

Later in the chat, Vance full-throatedly backed Hegseth's inclination to strike — "if you think we should do it, let's go" but added, "I just hate bailing out Europe again."

Hegseth agreed on "European freeloading," saying "it's PATHETIC."

After an account initialed "S M" chimed in with "green light," Hegseth shared times, military assets, and targets for the Houthi strikes to come.