Photos of Mike Waltz Standing Next to Atlantic Journalist Surface After Trump Advisor Claimed They 'Never Met'

National Security Advisor Mike Waltz has denied adding journalist Jeffrey Goldberg to a group text discussing a military operation in Yemen, stating he's never met or communicated with Goldberg—claims that are facing increased scrutiny amidst newly surfaced images.

On Tuesday—the day following the explosive report dubbed 'Signalgate'—Waltz insisted he "never met, never communicated with" Goldberg, and that he is looking into "how the heck" Goldberg was added to the Signal app message where Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth would reveal details of US plans to bomb Houthi targets in Yemen.

On Wednesday, Journalist Anna Bower posted a photo from a 2021 event in Washington DC at the French Embassy where Waltz stands just inches away from Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, seemingly contradicting Waltz's statement.

The October 2021 event was held to screen a film by French philosopher Bernard-Henry Lévy. Hosting the event was a partnership between the American French Embassy and The Atlantic, featuring a conversation between the filmmaker and Jeff Goldberg before the screening.

Waltz, who is apparently a friend of Lévy's, is likely to have made Goldberg's acquaintance at the intimate 2021 event. While there's no evidence the run-in led to a small group chat, it pokes holes in Waltz's professed lack of awareness of Goldberg's existence.

The Trump administration has attempted to dismiss Goldberg's claims regarding the chat he was mistakenly added to—denying that the information was classified and undermining Goldberg's credibility. In response, Goldberg published more screenshots of the text thread on Wednesday. In these screenshots, specifics airstrikes are detailed, and the beginning of the thread is revealed.

"Michael Waltz added you to the group," the messages begin.

The White House has continued to insist the exchange did not compromise national security policy, doubling down on painting the report as a "hoax." Despite the administration's commitment to their messaging, critics are increasingly dissatisfied with a perceived lack of accountability.