White House Officials Criticize Europe in Leaked Chat

A leaked group chat from the Trump administration, accidentally shared with The Atlantic's editor-in-chief, reveals a striking contempt for Europe among senior officials, including Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. In this exchange, Vance expressed frustration over the U.S. potentially aiding European economies by responding to Houthi threats to shipping routes, suggesting that the U.S. should charge Europe for any military intervention. Hegseth echoed this sentiment, describing European reliance on American military action as 'pathetic' and 'freeloading.' The chat highlights a broader tension in U.S.-European relations, particularly regarding military support and economic contributions. Despite the seriousness of the military discussion, the officials focused primarily on Europe's perceived opportunism rather than broader geopolitical interests. The incident has sparked outrage and raised concerns about the security of sensitive communications within the White House.