Who is Jeffrey Goldberg? Biography, Family Life, Career, and Signal Chat Incident
 Pete Hegseth: 'Nobody Was Texting War Plans' - Denies Jeffrey Goldberg's Claim |
Who is Jeffrey Goldberg, The Atlantic's Editor-in-Chief?
Jeffrey Goldberg, born in 1965 in Brooklyn, New York, is a prominent American journalist and the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic.
Renowned for his in-depth reporting on foreign affairs, particularly in the Middle East, Goldberg's career spans several esteemed publications, including The New Yorker and The Washington Post.
Recently, he gained attention for being inadvertently included in a Signal group chat where U.S. officials discussed military operations against the Houthi rebels in Yemen.
Read more: Fact-Check: The Atlantic's Jeffrey Goldberg in Top Secret Yemen War Chat
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| Jeffrey Goldberg, The Atlantic's editor-in-chief, to an encrypted Signal chat discussing military strikes on Houthis |
Early Life and Education
Raised in Malverne, Long Island, New York, Goldberg grew up in a Jewish family. His parents, Ellen and Daniel Goldberg, were politically left-leaning, and his grandfather hailed from Leova, Moldova. He attended the University of Pennsylvania, where he became the editor-in-chief of The Daily Pennsylvanian. However, he left college before graduating to move to Israel, where he served in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) during the First Intifada as a prison guard at Ktzi'ot Prison.
Family and Personal Life
In 1993, Goldberg married Pamela (née Ress) Reeves, an international development and policy strategist. The couple resides in Washington, D.C., and has three children:
Talia Goldberg: Born on February 20, 1997, Talia attended Georgetown Day School and has been recognized as the youngest vice president in Bessemer Venture Partners' 106-year history.
Elisheva "Shev" Goldberg: Born in 1998, Shev has pursued interests in writing and activism.
William Goldberg: Born around 2001, William is the youngest of the Goldberg siblings.
Despite his early connection to Israel, Goldberg later renounced his Israeli citizenship, citing disillusionment with the country's political direction.
Career Trajectory
Goldberg's journalism career began at The Washington Post, where he covered crime and law enforcement. He later worked as a columnist for The Jerusalem Post and served as the New York bureau chief for The Forward. His tenure at The New Yorker from 2000 to 2007 solidified his reputation as a leading voice in foreign affairs reporting.
In 2007, Goldberg joined The Atlantic, where he became editor-in-chief in 2016. Under his leadership, the magazine has won multiple Pulitzer Prizes and significantly expanded its readership. He has also been a vocal critic of former President Donald Trump, warning of the dangers of a second Trump presidency.
Read more: What is Signal App? Yemen War Chat Leak, And Security Warnings
Signal Chat Incident: Houthi War Plans Leak
In March 2025, Goldberg was inadvertently added to a Signal group chat named "Houthi PC small group," which included top U.S. officials such as Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz.
The group discussed sensitive military plans concerning U.S. attacks on the Houthi armed group in Yemen. Goldberg reported that he received an invitation to the group chat on March 11 and was added to the discussion two days later. He observed detailed conversations about targets, weapons systems, and attack sequencing. The officials were unaware of his presence until after the operations had been conducted.
The National Security Council confirmed the authenticity of the messages and initiated a review of the incident. The breach raised significant concerns about the use of non-secure communication platforms for discussing classified information. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer described it as "one of the most stunning breaches of military intelligence."
Jeffrey Goldberg: From IDF Soldier to Editor-in-Chief of The Atlantic
Jeffrey Goldberg is a renowned American journalist whose career has spanned some of the world’s most influential publications and conflict zones. He left college to move to Israel, where he served in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) during the First Intifada. Stationed as a prison guard at Ktzi'ot Prison, Goldberg met Rafiq Hijazi, a leader of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), whom he described as the only Palestinian prisoner who truly understood Zionism. While living in Israel, Goldberg worked as a columnist for The Jerusalem Post. Upon returning to the United States, he began reporting for The Washington Post. His journalism career advanced quickly—he became the New York bureau chief for The Forward, a contributing editor for New York Magazine, and a contributor to The New York Times Magazine. In 2000, he joined The New Yorker, where his in-depth international reporting gained widespread recognition. In 2001, he was awarded a fellowship from the Jerusalem Foundation, and in 2002, he served as a public policy scholar at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. After nearly two years of persuasion by David G. Bradley, Goldberg joined The Atlantic in 2007. He later wrote for Bloomberg View as a columnist from 2011 to 2014. In 2016, he was named Editor-in-Chief of The Atlantic, a role he continues to hold. In August 2023, he became the moderator of PBS’s Washington Week, which was rebranded as Washington Week with The Atlantic. Goldberg is widely known for his fearless international reporting. He has covered war zones across Afghanistan, Pakistan, Syria, and the Palestinian territories. He once lived for a month inside a Taliban-run madrasa and has conducted rare interviews with leaders of Hezbollah, Hamas, al-Qaeda, and the Taliban. During the Second Persian Gulf War, he reported from inside Iraq for The New Yorker. |
Legacy and Influence
Goldberg's influence extends beyond journalism. He has moderated the PBS program Washington Week with The Atlantic since 2023 and has been a key figure in shaping The Atlantic's editorial stance, including its endorsement of Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election.
Despite controversies, Goldberg remains a respected figure in journalism, known for his incisive analysis and in-depth reporting on complex global issues. His career reflects a commitment to uncovering the truth, even in the face of political and personal attacks.
Conclusion
Jeffrey Goldberg's journey from a young journalist in Brooklyn to the editor-in-chief of one of America's most respected magazines is a testament to his dedication and skill. His work continues to shape public discourse on foreign policy and national security, making him a pivotal figure in contemporary journalism.
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