The Trump administration just made the mistake of our adolescent nightmares: Accidentally adding someone to a confidential group chat.
If you’ve been living under a rock and haven’t yet heard, American war plans were casually texted in a group chat with the government officials who hold our nation’s most trusted secrets.
Oh and on top of that they accidentally added a journalist to the chat. Someone whose literal job is to be a watchdog for the American people. An individual whose career revolves around uncovering and sharing news was given front-row access to not only classified military intelligence, but the sheer immaturity of this administration.
It’s as if they forgot that their decisions impact the lives of millions, both here and abroad, and instead thought they were discussing the latest edition of Call of Duty.
While the scale and lack of care displayed in this egregiously miscalculated incident does not compare to any miniscule messaging misstep that has occurred in our lives, it did take us back to middle school.
It’s practically the digital-age equivalent of passing a note in class and having it intercepted by the teacher and then having to read the note aloud to the entire school.
Everyone can relate to the gut punch of realizing you texted the wrong person, especially when the contents of the text are about said person.
For example, when you screenshot a conversation with the intention of sending it to your friend but accidentally send it right back to who the conversation was with. Or when you mention group plans in a chat with people who were intentionally not invited.
So basically, our highest-ranking government officials made a mistake relatable to cliquey tweens everywhere!
Though this situation holds the weight of much more anxiety-inducing digital dilemmas. It does not compare to adding someone’s mom to a group chat created to scheme alcohol or boys into their basement.
This fiasco has us thinking, what other political matters are being casually discussed in group chats between politicians?
Immediately after realizing they had added the journalist to the chat, did they jump into another chat? Did Michael Waltz get roasted for his accidental addition? Did someone grasp the opportunity to send, “Chat are we cooked?”
Next time you’re scrolling through drunk texts riddled with hangxiety, just remember, it could be worse! Have you sent a text to the wrong person? Let @VALLEYmag know on X!
