Slightly over a month in the past, simply over six weeks into the second Trump administration — and a number of other days earlier than the events of the Signalgate story occurred — retired Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster acquired an sudden name on his private cellphone.
In accordance with 4 sources who spoke to CBS News, the decision got here from the White House, and a voice on the opposite finish advised McMaster to face by for the president.
The decision was particularly odd provided that McMaster had been ousted from his position as national security adviser after solely 13 months, means again in March 2018.
Odder nonetheless was that solely the day earlier than — March 2, 2025 — President Donald Trump had lambasted McMaster on social media as a “weak and completely ineffective loser” following his look on 60 Minutes when he expressed skepticism about Trump’s overtures to Russian President Vladimir Putin and any willingness on the Russian chief’s half to finish the warfare in Ukraine.
Why would he name him now?
When the president got here on the road, he started: “Henry…” earlier than launching into the dialog, CBS Information studies, citing two sources who weren’t licensed to debate non-public conversations.
McMaster knew this acquainted voice was undoubtedly President Trump, however he additionally shortly realized that he was not the meant recipient of the decision.
Nationwide Safety Adviser HR McMaster alongside US President Donald Trump in 2017 (AFP by way of Getty Photos)
For a begin, his identify is just not Henry. H.R. is brief for Herbert Raymond.
“Mr. President, that is H.R. McMaster,” he mentioned.
“Why the f*** would I speak to H.R. McMaster?” Trump requested in response earlier than launching into what two sources mentioned was a scathing critique of his former aide.
The decision ended quickly after.
In accordance with the identical two sources, the president had meant to talk with South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster.
It isn’t identified who positioned the decision to the mistaken McMaster, however one particular person advised CBS Information it was an aide who works with the president. The White Home declined to debate the president’s non-public calls or if the dialog happened.
McMaster is a CBS Information contributor however declined to touch upon the decision to the community.
Communications director Steven Cheung advised the community: “H.R. McMaster has fully beclowned himself and his third-rate e book, which is now bought within the cut price bin of the fiction part of a reduction bookstore, is full of lies in a futile try and rehabilitate his tattered status.”
McMaster appeared on 60 Minutes in March, having beforehand been outspoken about Trump’s views on Putin.
In his latest memoir, At War with Ourselves, he wrote that he believes the Russian chief “played to Trump’s ego and insecurities with flattery.”
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