President Donald Trump recently dialed the wrong McMaster, leading to an expletive-laced exchange that has caught the attention of the public. On March 3, Trump mistakenly called his former national security adviser, Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster, instead of South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster. The slip-up quickly escalated into an uncomfortable moment when Trump realized his error.
Trump, attempting to connect with the South Carolina governor, mistakenly reached out to H.R. McMaster, whom he had dismissed from his administration back in 2018. Upon answering the phone, McMaster—who goes by Herbert—introduced himself, causing Trump to react with an incredulous “Why the f**k would I talk to H.R. McMaster?” according to a CBS News report. It seems the former president’s frustration was clear as he realized his blunder.
The phone mix-up comes after a heated period between Trump and his former national security adviser. In recent weeks, McMaster has been outspoken in his criticisms of Trump, particularly regarding the president’s handling of relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin. McMaster’s comments have not sat well with Trump, who publicly called him a “weak and totally ineffective loser” on social media.
To add fuel to the fire, White House communications director Steven Cheung further slammed McMaster, accusing him of “beclowning” himself in an attempt to salvage his reputation with a “fictional” book now apparently languishing in discount bargain bins.
This phone call mishap isn’t the only security-related incident making headlines. Just one day before this mix-up, another national security gaffe occurred when Trump’s current adviser, Mike Waltz, accidentally included the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic in a private group chat discussing military plans. Additionally, Waltz was reportedly using his personal Gmail account for official government communications, prompting concerns over the handling of sensitive information.
While these blunders have raised eyebrows, they highlight ongoing issues within the realm of national security and the mishandling of private and classified information.
