India
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is facing growing backlash and mockery online, with the hashtag #PentagonPrincess trending after a report alleged he requested a makeup studio be installed at the Pentagon. The controversy comes on the heels of a major security blunder, in which a journalist was inadvertently added to a private Signal group chat discussing potential military strikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen.
According to CBS News, sources revealed that Hegseth had approved modifications to a room adjacent to the Pentagon press briefing room. The proposed transformation—initially estimated to cost over $40,000—was aimed at creating a dedicated space for his television appearances. The setup reportedly included professional lighting, a makeup mirror, and a director-style chair. However, officials later claimed the project was scaled back significantly.
A Pentagon spokesperson attempted to downplay the outrage, stating such upgrades are “nothing new” and often occur during administrative transitions. They emphasized the use of pre-existing inventory for most of the additions and labeled the area as a “green room,” not a makeup studio.
Still, the revelation has sparked ridicule and accusations of wasteful spending. “No amount of make-up can cover up that incompetence,” one X user posted. Another commented, “How is this not a waste of taxpayer dollars?” Even lawmakers joined the chorus, with Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett writing, “Pete Hegseth is treating the Pentagon like it’s a Fox News set—ordering a makeup studio while leaking sensitive information in Signal chats.”
Hegseth, who joined the Defense Department after a stint as a Fox News host, took to X to denounce the report. “Totally fake story. No ‘orders’ and no ‘makeup’ — but whatever,” he wrote. In a follow-up jab at the media, he added, “We should have installed tampon machines in every men’s bathroom at DoD instead — the leftist ‘news’ media would have loved that.”
Despite his denial, the Defense Department later confirmed some enhancements had been made. A spokesperson told The Hill that the room was upgraded with on-hand materials and furniture to support senior officials and VIPs during on-camera engagements.
While the space has not yet been used by Hegseth, the dual controversies—the lavish room request and the inadvertent Signal leak—have sparked fresh concerns over his suitability for the role. Critics argue the incidents reflect a troubling trend of prioritizing optics over operational integrity at the highest levels of U.S. defense.
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