Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth hurled insults at transgender people in what appeared to be an attempt to deflect from what he called a “totally fake” story about him installing a makeup studio in the Pentagon.
A CBS report said Hegseth spent thousands of dollars to add a new chair, large mirror, and makeup lighting to a room next to the press briefing room so that Hegseth could prepare to greet the media.
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“Fox News television personalities—not military units —are the ones bothered by transgender people faithfully serving their country.”
While Hegseth denied the changes, a spokesperson told the outlet, “Changes and upgrades to the Pentagon Briefing Room are nothing new and routinely happen during changes in an administration.” Another official said Hegseth did not hire a makeup artist and does his own makeup before TV appearances.
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Despite all of these sources speaking to CBS about the updates, Hegseth wrote on X, “Totally fake story. No ‘orders’ and no ‘makeup’ – but whatever.” Then, related to nothing, he added, “We should have installed tampon machines in every men’s bathroom at DoD instead — the leftist ‘news’ media would have loved that.”
People on X mocked Hegseth for how easily he was offended and also for taking the time to respond to the story instead of focusing on his duties.
Perhaps you responding directly to such things is beneath your office
— PPG (@Phninetyone) April 24, 2025
There are drag queens with thicker skin than Pete Hegseth.
— Alex Cole (@acnewsitics) April 23, 2025
So someone at CBS said, "Hey, let's make up a story that Hegseth ordered a makeup studio
— Michael S. Freeman (@Citizen54S) April 24, 2025
installed at the Pentagon. That should be fun"? C'mon, man.
Not only are you incompetent, but you’re also childish. Maybe that’s okay at Fox News, but it’s not a good look for the Secretary of Defense.
— Timothy Bellman (@Timothy_Bellman) April 24, 2025
THE PENTAGON LITERALLY CONFIRMED IT IN THE STORY
— trent (@trenthub) April 24, 2025
He doth protest too much. #Done https://t.co/Uo6lClt6u8
— Anne Zeiser (@AzureMedia) April 24, 2025
Focusing on the big things while the DoD is crumbling around you. https://t.co/6wPc9W5Dvu
— Steven Knight (@steven__knight) April 24, 2025
1) Interesting you’re so focused on bathrooms since you LEAK so much as is, you unqualified dolt — but whatever.
— Evan Reith (@EvanReith) April 24, 2025
2) Resign — the American public, military, and billions of Earth inhabitants would love that. https://t.co/yoPqzfV034
Insane that SecDef is even responding to this. Let alone literally at the exact same time as Russia launches 10s of ballistic missiles in the largest interstate war since WWII, OR while trying to actively assuage the public that he isn't terminally online sharing classified info https://t.co/D7qOrRz1H5
— Zak Schneider (@ZakSchn) April 24, 2025
I present to you the United States Secretary of Defense.
— Julie G. Delegal (@julieinjax) April 24, 2025
Secretary. Of. Defense. https://t.co/djlHKZDqgB
This is what the Secretary of Defense has time to fight about on Twitter.
— Kathleen Delano (@kdelano001) April 24, 2025
Can you imagine Patton, Eisenhower, or George Washington stooping to this level? https://t.co/YnFNGmSmsb
Even those who appeared to support the president were not impressed by Hegseth’s post, with several X users telling him that team MAGA supports him and he shouldn’t be wasting his time responding to articles like this one.
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