A former CIA officer’s explosive allegation that President Trump attempted to use nuclear codes has collapsed under investigation, with major news outlets finding zero evidence to support the dramatic claim that dominated headlines this week.
The Unverified Allegation
Larry Johnson, a former CIA officer, appeared on the Judging Freedom podcast April 20 claiming an emergency White House session turned confrontational. Johnson alleged General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, refused to facilitate use of nuclear launch codes. The podcast showed footage of Caine walking on White House grounds with his head down as supposed evidence of the confrontation.
Investigation Finds Nothing
Newsweek investigated Johnson’s claims and found no independent corroboration of the alleged exchange. While high-level meetings occurred April 18 discussing the Iran ceasefire expiration, no credible news organization or government official verified nuclear launch authority was invoked. The story mirrors previous debunked allegations, including the false claim Trump tried to commandeer the presidential vehicle on January 6.
Pattern of Failed Claims
This represents the latest unsubstantiated allegation against the former president to gain traction before fact-checking revealed its flaws. The nuclear codes story gained attention despite relying on a single source with no documentation, eyewitnesses, or official confirmation. Video of a military officer walking outside became the primary evidence cited for an alleged constitutional crisis. The episode highlights ongoing concerns about verification standards for explosive political claims in contemporary media coverage.
Sources
Townhall: File This Under ‘Didn’t Happen:’ Ex-CIA Spook Alleges Trump Tried to Use the Nuclear Codes
