Behind the scenes: How Waltz got the boot

President Trump soured on Mike Waltz as his national security adviser for multiple reasons. But ultimately it came down to vibes when he replaced Waltz with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who'll temporarily do both jobs.In Trump's mind, Signalgate was the first time he was unable to control the narrative or win the day, top advisers tell Axios.Why it matters: The boot for Waltz — two days after the media circus on Day 100 — was this term's first big shakeup. It showed how responsive Trump remains to optics, even while feeling as empowered as ever.Waltz also hadn't collaborated well with others in the White House. (Go deeper.)It was Waltz who added Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, to a thread in the messaging app Signal where attack plans were discussed. The embarrassing debacle embittered Trump."He just came to look at Waltz like he was bad luck, bad news," a White House official familiar with Trump's thinking told Axios. "There was nothing Mike could do at that point."As criticism rose about tariffs, Trump would occasionally return to fuming about Waltz — who had nothing to do with that policy.Immediately after the Signal story broke, Trump wanted to fire Waltz but held off, Axios reported at the time.Behind the scenes: Trump was ready to fire Waltz or force him out. White House chief of staff Susie Wiles advocated for the soft landing of ambassador to the UN — an open role after Trump pulled the nomination of Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.).Exactly what triggered Trump's first big personnel shakeup of the term was unknown even to some close aides. But Trump makes decisions by his gut.What's next: Waltz now will have to undergo Senate confirmation for UN ambassador — meaning a raw reliving of questions about the national security team's use of Signal.

Comments

World news

Russian soldier blown up trying to catch a drone as Ukraine launches massive aerial attack

Comments

Similar News

Behind the Curtain: The art of persuading Trump

Tracking a smuggler behind deadly Atlantic migrant crossing

Horrifying moment TikToker is shot dead on livestream as gunman walks up behind him in execution-style hit job

Why the trees behind 'women's gold' beauty creams are under threat

Behind Trump’s Deal to Deport Venezuelans to El Salvador’s Most Feared Prison

5 Takeaways: Behind Trump’s Deal to Deport Migrants to El Salvador

The Americans Fled Vietnam 50 Years Ago. I Visited the Buildings They Left Behind.

Spain-Portugal power cuts: 5 possible reasons behind huge blackouts across Europe

Trump’s granddaughter Kai shows off White House bowling alley in behind-the-scenes tour

Scientists behind Armageddon flu virus suspend their research because it 'could put world at risk of catastrophic pandemic'

‘A trickle to a tidal wave’: behind the Trump protest movement that launched on Reddit

'Realistic possibility' Israel was behind Iran blast which killed 8 and injured 800

Harvard labor unions rally behind non-citizens and workers amid Trump attacks

Gut toxins and 50,000 deaths: The truth behind the rise in colon cancer and the signs to look for

Truth behind 'alien skull' uncovered 1,500 years later as scientists rebuild face

Pope Francis funeral: Donald Trump forced to take backseat behind Prince William

Gut toxins and 50,000 deaths: The truth behind the rise in colon cancer and the signs to look for

The real truth behind Trump’s latest attack on Zelensky over potential US peace deal

Horror moment woman gives birth behind a car during street festival before leaving newborn to die as she parties on

Trump’s press secretary Karoline Leavitt shares rare behind scenes video of baby son at White House

World news

Russian soldier blown up trying to catch a drone as Ukraine launches massive aerial attack

Spanish holiday hotspot loved by Brits now gangster's paradise with crime rife

Grievances and forgiveness were both on display in Prince Harry's raw TV interview

Thousands of Islamists rally in Bangladesh against proposed changes to women's rights

A notorious drug gang is in the crosshairs of a French police investigation of prison attacks

Marco Rubio criticized Germany. The foreign ministry hit back

Chimney installed on roof of Sistine Chapel ahead of conclave to elect new pope

Did our politics fail us during Covid?

Why the Karen Read retrial might end differently this time

What the worst first dates all have in common

Australian PM Anthony Albanese wins re-election

China finally reveals how Covid-19 started – and it's all America's fault

Mothers with newborns forced to leave children behind in India as diplomatic row with Pakistan deepens

The little-known disorder that causes RFK Jr.’s raspy voice

Labor wins Australia election as ‘Trump factor’ swings voters

Tourist taking selfie with ‘fake’ crocodile realises his mistake the hard way

Reform UK in bid to shed ‘boys’ club’ image with election of high-profile women

A watershed moment for the NHS this week – but did anyone actually notice?

Ibiza and Majorca holiday flights cut demanded by islands' government in war on tourists

'The truckers are scrambling': Trump's tariffs hit drivers, L.A. port workers hard

Fired federal prosecutor claims ex-Fatburger CEO's 'smears' reached White House

Tariffs on car parts entering the US come into force

Tunisia jails ex-prime minister on terrorism charges

Captive-bred axolotls thrive in Mexican wetlands, researchers find

After Leading a Liberal Comeback, Carney Hits the Ground Running

Cardinal Parolin, Leader of Papal Conclave, Is Also a Top Candidate

As China Looks for Way Out of U.S. Trade Deadlock, Fentanyl Could Be Key

These Contentious Issues Could Determine Who Becomes the Next Pope

Terrifying moment plane crashes at iconic Riviera Country Club in shock emergency landing as golfers left stunned

Prince Andrew MUST ‘come clean and confess’ to Virginia Guiffre’s family after tragic death, demands lawyer

What the Tariffs Have Done to a Fledgling Small Business

Putin army horror as soldier goes on shooting rampage in Russian village

'There is nothing wrong with taking a stand against Israel's genocide and occupation'

Russian drone attack injures 47 in Ukraine’s second largest city Kharkiv

Pakistan test fires ballistic missile as tensions with India spike after Kashmir gun massacre

Why some ‘frustrated’ NDP voters flipped to Conservatives in the election

On the Brink: Online trading groups filling an ‘overwhelming’ gap for families

The urgent problem of intimate partner violence and how New Brunswick plans to respond

Horse with cognitive disorder defies odds thanks to generosity of strangers

Quebec passengers stuck on Porter Airlines plane for 7 hours recall ‘nightmare’ experience

Recording reveals details about IDF arrest of Gaza paramedic after aid attack

No, we don't want to be in your workout video

Woman killed in Thessaloniki bomb explosion as police probe Greece bank attack plot

Why Andrea Jenkyns’s success is a risk for Farage

100,000 people give up wild swimming due to Britain’s polluted rivers

I smacked my son – now, years later, I wish I hadn’t

Five people survive 36 hours in alligator-infested swamp after plane crash

America’s Vietnam War Opponents Who Fled to Canada Reflect on the Past and Future

Russians face soaring bills as Kremlin drains economy to fund war says ex-banking chief

Panic in Ukraine as second largest city on fire after Putin's overnight attack

Letters: Want rid of SNP and Labour? Learn a lesson from England

Camley's Cartoon on Trump's Turnberry hopes

Will Anthony Albanese be first Australian PM in 21 years to witness two consecutive election wins?

Woman dies in Greece when bomb explodes in her hands

Trump posts image of himself as pope on Truth Social. Critics erupt

Conclave: What goes on behind closed doors to elect a new pope

Woman killed in Greece after bomb explodes in her hands during attempted attack