Early Saturday morning, as the world buzzed with the news of the U.S. military action in Venezuela and the arrest of President Nicolas Maduro, an unexpected event took place. At 4:21 AM on that day, Trump shared the operation update on 'Truth Social'. Just 10 minutes later, at 4:31 AM, New York Times reporter Tyler Pager directly called the President’s personal cellphone.
According to Pager, “The phone rang three times before Trump answered. He said 'Hello' as I promptly dived into questions.” Introducing himself as a New York Times reporter, he queried about the overnight operation in Venezuela. During the brief 50-second call, Pager managed four inquiries, touching on congressional approval and further strategies.
Trump refrained from revealing sensitive information and recommended that Pager tune into the upcoming press conference. Pager noted Trump expressed no displeasure at the direct call, as he often personally answers journalists' calls.
Trump's Direct Link with the Press
This scenario was even more astonishing as Caracas was in chaos. Pager stated he had been awake since 1 AM after hearing about bombings in the Venezuelan capital. Amidst such turmoil, the U.S. President personally engaging with the press painted a unique picture.
Pager compared this to the Biden administration, mentioning that in four years of reporting, he never had direct access. Biden’s contact number was changed once contact was made, whereas Trump seemed to invite media visibility. By 9:45 AM, Pager was at Mar-a-Lago, where the President appeared poised for a 'victory lap'.
Meanwhile, Venezuela remained tense. The mission named ‘Operation Absolute Resolve’ involved U.S. fighter jets targeting military sites in Caracas and other areas. This operation saw President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Celia Flores, captured and taken out of the country.
The U.S. claims this as a culmination of a year-long pressure campaign. Maduro was already accused of 'narco-terrorism,' and in 2020, U.S. prosecutors charged him with drug trafficking conspiracy. Republican Senator Mike Lee confirmed that, according to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Maduro would face trial in the U.S.
Venezuela’s defense minister accused foreign forces of sovereignty violation, while Cuba, Iran, and Russia condemned the operation. Conversely, Argentina's President Javier Milei declared it a victory for freedom. Currently, the crucial question in Washington is what Venezuela’s next move will be. Despite the direct call from the NYT reporter, the answer remains unknown.
