Mike Waltz has recently garnered attention after it was reported that he added The Atlantic editor-in-chief to a Signal group chat with members of Donald Trump’s inner circle.
The chat was used to discuss confidential details of a military strike on the Houthis.
Highlights
- The family connection stems from Mike Waltz’s wife, Dr. Julia Nesheiwat, the 10th Homeland Security Advisor during Trump’s first term.
- According to Florida Politics, Waltz had enlisted Stapp’s help with fundraising while representing Florida’s 6th Congressional District.
- An internet user remarked that the mission seemed successful because a journalist from The Atlantic could keep secrets better than the NSA and U.S. Defense combined.
As the controversy grew, it became known that Waltz’s brother-in-law is Scott Stapp, the lead singer of Creed.
Social Media Mocks Mike Waltz’s Link To Creed’s Scott Stapp Amid Houthi Scandal
The unexpected family link comes through Waltz’s wife, Dr. Julia Nesheiwat, the 10th Homeland Security Advisor during Trump’s first term.
Her sister, Jaclyn, is married to Scott Stapp, but People reported last year that they were getting divorced after 18 years of marriage.
Did you know Michael Waltz is Scott Stapp’s Brother in-law? pic.twitter.com/T6p7J77a1A
— Not Josh Firestine (@Not_Firestine) March 26, 2025
Their other sister, Janette Nesheiwat, was recently nominated by Trump as the next Surgeon General.
The connection goes beyond just the sisters, as Creed had performed at fundraising events for Waltz when he was a congressman in Florida.
Florida Politics reported they were considered “friends” and mentioned that Waltz had asked Stapp to help with fundraising while representing Florida’s 6th Congressional District.
As Waltz faces backlash over the Houthi group chat scandal, social media quickly made jokes about his connection to Creed.
The two brothers-in-law quickly became the subject of online jokes, with many referencing Creed’s most popular songs, such as “With Arms Wide Open” and “Higher.”
Mike Waltz using his position to make his dancing sister-in-law, @DoctorJanette, the Surgeon General is reason enough to cancel him. pic.twitter.com/j1dahb0ORB
— Jennifer Barbosa (@TeamJenBarbosa) March 25, 2025
In response, people shared their thoughts on the situation. One user pointed out that the mission appeared successful because a journalist from The Atlantic could keep secrets better than the NSA and the U.S. Defense combined.
The mission was so “successful” because a Journalist from THE ATLANTIC can keep secrets better than the NSA and US Defense COMBINED.
Leona
Another user referenced the saying about choosing friends but not relatives.
“You can choose your friends, but you can’t choose your relatives”.
Thasisstone
The next commenter suggested that Waltz and everyone else in the group should be fired, arguing that bypassing document retention laws and using personal phones for government business could be considered espionage.
Yes he should be fired, and so should everyone else in that group. Escaping document retention laws and using personal phones for government business could be construed to be espionage.
Theathetinker
Additional Information
- Mike Waltz was a House China Task Force member, which included 15 Republican lawmakers from 14 different committees.
- In 2018, Mike Waltz was elected to the House of Representatives, defeating former ambassador Nancy Soderberg and succeeding Ron DeSantis, who became Florida’s governor.
- He was re-elected in 2020, 2022, and 2024, winning over 60% of the votes in each election.
