A bizarre incident has emerged involving former National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster and President Trump. According to four sources who spoke with CBS News, a little over a month ago, McMaster received a call on his personal cell phone – a call originating from the White House. The caller instructed him to wait for the President. The surprise? McMaster hadn’t spoken to Trump in some time, and their last interaction involved a rather public insult from the President on social media.
The call itself was short, but its peculiarity lies in a simple case of mistaken identity. Trump, according to two sources familiar with the conversation, began the call with “Henry…” before launching into a critical tirade. McMaster, whose name is Herbert Raymond, but goes by H.R., clarified his identity, prompting a dismissive response from Trump, who questioned why he would be speaking to McMaster at all. The realization dawned: Trump had intended to call South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster.
The question of who is responsible for the wrong number remains unanswered. One source indicated a presidential aide was likely at fault. The White House, however, refused to comment on the matter, instead issuing a statement from Communications Director Steven Cheung criticizing McMaster and his memoir. McMaster himself declined to comment on the incident. This incident follows another recent gaffe involving a mistaken addition of a journalist to a secure group chat with Trump’s national security advisors, underscoring concerns about communication protocols within the administration.
The accidental call highlights a fascinating intersection of personal and political dynamics. It adds another layer of intrigue to the already complex relationship between Trump and McMaster, marked by both collaboration and conflict. The incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of politics and the potential for even simple mistakes to hold significant symbolic weight.
