Private Data of Trump’s Top Advisers Found Online After Signal Scandal

Private contact information for Trump’s top security officials was discovered online—just days after they reportedly discussed a military strike using Signal, an encrypted app not approved for classified communication. The findings suggest serious lapses in digital security at the highest levels of government.

Key Facts:

Germany’s DER SPIEGEL found phone numbers, emails, and passwords of senior Trump officials online using people search engines and leaked data.
Officials affected include National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, DNI Tulsi Gabbard, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
The Atlantic reported these officials discussed an imminent military strike on Signal, possibly using personal accounts.
The Trump White House confirmed the incident but claimed no classified material was shared.
Reporters were able to verify active WhatsApp and Signal profiles tied to these exposed numbers.

The Rest of The Story:

In a troubling revelation, DER SPIEGEL reported that sensitive personal information for several top U.S. national security officials is publicly accessible online.

The magazine found mobile numbers, email addresses, and even passwords of Mike Waltz, Tulsi Gabbard, and Pete Hegseth through commercial data services and leaked databases.

This exposure comes just after The Atlantic revealed these same officials used Signal to coordinate a military strike against the Houthi militia in Yemen.

While it remains unclear whether they used their private numbers for this chat, DER SPIEGEL confirmed the leaked numbers are linked to active Signal accounts.

Notably, a message sent by DER SPIEGEL to Gabbard’s Signal account was marked as delivered.

The information trail was surprisingly easy to trace.

Hegseth’s data was obtained via a basic LinkedIn lookup.

His email and number were found in over 20 leaks, and his WhatsApp profile photo showed him shirtless—verified using facial recognition.

Waltz’s and Gabbard’s data were similarly exposed.

Despite official statements downplaying the issue, DER SPIEGEL’s messages were delivered to all three officials’ leaked messaging profiles.

Commentary:

If DER SPIEGEL was truly able to reach these officials’ Signal accounts, it points to a massive security breakdown.

These are people entrusted with some of the most sensitive decisions in the country.

Using unsecured apps tied to personal contact information is unacceptable.

This issue surfaces shortly after the “Signalgate” story broke, where classified-level discussions were allegedly held on Signal.

That story alone raised eyebrows.

But now, add the fact that hackers—or foreign actors—could have found these same phone numbers and emails with a few clicks?

That’s a serious vulnerability.

Signal may be encrypted, but if the accounts are tied to personal numbers found in leaks, the protection it offers is undermined.

Malware, phishing, even impersonation via deepfakes are all on the table once a phone number or email is compromised.

It doesn’t take a state-level hacker to weaponize that kind of access anymore.

The Trump administration must address this openly. Downplaying it by claiming saying the accounts have been inactive on a different timeline than the report won’t cut it.

After the “Signalgate” debacle, it is imperative that the Trump administration work towards restoring trust,

This means showing the American people that this kind of digital sloppiness won’t continue.

That includes updating protocols, re-training staff, and holding those responsible for the breach accountable.

Otherwise, enemies—foreign or domestic—will see the opening and exploit it again.

The Bottom Line:

The discovery of exposed contact information for top Trump security advisers, combined with their recent use of Signal for military planning, signals a dangerous lapse in cybersecurity.

These findings suggest that foreign actors may have had access to communications at the highest levels of U.S. national security.

The administration needs to take immediate action.

Failing to lock down digital access points to national security leaders not only invites further breaches but risks weakening public trust in presidential leadership.