Mike Waltz brother-in-law's surprising identity revealed after leaked war plans scandal
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Music fans have shared their shock after discovering embattled National Security Advisor Mike Waltz's brother-in-law is a part of rock royalty.
Waltz made headlines in recent days after reportedly adding the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic to a Signal group chat with Donald Trump's inner circle to discuss intimate details of a military strike against the Houthis.
But as the scandal broke out, observers came to realize Waltz's brother-in-law is none other than Creed front man Scott Stapp.
The surprising family connection comes through Waltz's wife Dr Julia Nesheiwat, who served as the 10th Homeland Security Advisor in Trump's first term.
Her sister Jacyln is married to Stapp, however People reported last year that the couple were divorcing after 18 years of marriage. Their other sister Janette Nesheiwat was recently named as Trump's nominee to become the next Surgeon General.
The family connection appears to go deeper than just the sisters, as Stapp had previously performed at fundraisers for Waltz when he was a Florida congressman, according to Florida Politics.
The outlet described them as 'friends', and noted that Waltz deployed Stapp on several occasions to help him fundraise when he was representing Florida's 6th Congressional District.
While Waltz deals with the backlash to the Houthi group chat scandal, social media was quick to make light of his connection to Stapp.
Music fans have shared their shock after discovering President Trump's embattled National Security Advisor Mike Waltz's brother-in-law is a part of rock music royalty
Waltz's brother-in-law is Scott Stapp, the frontman of rock band Creed (pictured with his wife and Waltz's sister-in-law Jaclyn)
The surprising connection between Waltz and Stapp was first noted by CNN reporter Andrew Kaczysnki, and his X post revealing the trivia gained over a million views.
The brothers-in-law quickly became a meme, with many making jokes linked to Creed's most famous songs including 'With Arms Wide Open' and 'Higher.'
One X user responded with a GIF of Stapp in a Creed music video, captioned: 'WITH COMMS WIDE OPEN.'
'They're accepting anyone into their Signal group chat with arms wide open,' another joked.
Journalist and podcast host Saagar Enjeti waded into the conversation with his own suggestion for how Waltz could repair his reputation after the Signal leak.
'Mike Waltz can redeem himself by arranging for Creed to headline America's 250th birthday,' he said.
The surprising family connection comes through Waltz's wife Dr. Julia Nesheiwat (center), who is Trump's nominee to become the next Surgeon General, the sister of Stapp's wife Jacyln (right)
Stapp had previously performed at fundraisers for Waltz when he was a Florida congressman
It comes as President Trump initially defended Waltz after it was reported that he was the person who accidentally added The Atlantic's editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg to the Signal group chat discussing a planned attack on the Houthis.
But while Trump praised Waltz as a 'good man' who 'learned' from the scandal, Trump was reportedly not as chivalrous behind the scenes.
'The president was pissed that Waltz could be so stupid,' a source told Politico.
Trump was furious and his darkest suspicion about Waltz resurfaced. Why did he have Goldberg's number?
Indeed, it was Goldberg who had reported in September 2020 that Trump had called fallen American soldiers 'suckers' and 'losers.'
Another source said the president has found the entire fiasco 'embarrassing' for the administration.
The president also said in an interview with NBC that it was one of Waltz's aides who inadvertently added The Atlantic's editor-in-chief to the war-planning group chat.
During the ambassadors' meeting, Trump said Waltz didn't need to apologize.
'No, I don't think he should apologize. I think he's doing his best. It's equipment and technology that's not perfect, and probably he won't be using it again, at least not in the near future,' Trump said.
When it was Waltz's turn to speak he denied knowing Goldberg.
'There's a lot of journalists in this city who have made big names for themselves making up lies about this president, whether it's the Russia hoax or making up lies about Gold Star families,' Waltz told the room.
'And this one in particular, I've never met, don't know, never communicated with,' he claimed. 'And we are, and we are looking into him, reviewing how the heck he got into this room.'
However, Goldberg had written in the piece that he had met Waltz, a former Florida congressman, in the past.
'I have met him in the past, and though I didn't find it particularly strange that he might be reaching out to me, I did think it somewhat unusual, given the Trump administration’s contentious relationship with journalists - and Trump's periodic fixation on me specifically,' Goldberg wrote in The Atlantic.
It remains unclear how Waltz or an aide acting on Waltz's orders would have had Goldberg's phone number if they weren't acquainted.
'So, look, this journalist, Mr. President, wants the world talking about more hoaxes and this kind of nonsense rather than the freedom that you're enabling and a key part of our sovereignty is open sea lanes and knocking the crap out of terrorists, which is exactly what your team, and Pete Hegseth, a good friend and fellow veteran, is leading the charge on,' Waltz said.
