Hegseth orders makeup studio installed at Pentagon - CBS News
By: Jennifer Jacobs (CBSPolitics)
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Hegseth orders makeup studio installed at Pentagon
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently ordered modifications to a room next to the Pentagon press briefing room to retrofit it with a makeup studio that can be used to prepare for television appearances, multiple sources told CBS News.
The price tag for the project was several thousand dollars, according to two of the sources, at a time when the administration is searching for cost-cutting measures.
"Changes and upgrades to the Pentagon Briefing Room are nothing new and routinely happen during changes in an administration," a Defense Department spokesperson said in a statement to CBS News.
The renovation that was initially planned was estimated to cost more than $40,000, but the ideas were scaled back, sources said.
After CBS News published its report, the defense secretary responded in a post on X, "Totally fake story. No 'orders' and no 'makeup.'"
Hegseth, before becoming defense secretary, was a morning show co-host on Fox News' "Fox & Friends Weekend." Since his nomination, he has vowed to emphasize improvements in the armed forces' warfighting abilities and military readiness.
An in-house construction crew renovated the adjacent green room earlier this year. The room previously had minimal furnishings — a table with chairs, a TV, photos of former defense secretaries and a mirror on the back of the door, one source said.
The table was removed and a new chair and large mirror with makeup lighting was installed, another source said.
Hegseth is doing his own makeup ahead of TV appearances, not paying for a makeup artist, a defense official told CBS News.
The suggestion for improving the space came from Tami Radabaugh, the deputy assistant to the secretary for strategic engagement and a former producer for Fox News and for CBS News, according to multiple sources. The chief Pentagon spokesman, Sean Parnell, and the defense secretary's wife, Jennifer Hegseth, also a former Fox producer, expressed their approval for the upgrade before it was undertaken, one of the sources said.
The Defense Department spokesperson said the green room will be available to senior leaders and VIPs prior to press engagements.
The new items, including a director's chair, came from existing inventories, the spokesperson said. A new countertop was constructed by facilities services staff.
"For this upgrade we were deliberately conservative and opted for several less expensive, on-hand materiel solutions," the spokesperson said.
Hegseth hasn't used the press room to brief reporters. But it has been a set for his TV appearances, including one with Fox this week in which he blamed the media and former Defense Department employees for the revelation that he sent sensitive details about military strikes in a Signal group chat that he created.
He did not deny news reports that he shared real-time operational information with family members before strikes in Yemen were carried out. He didn't explain why his wife, who is not a Defense Department employee, was in the text chat. That was the second Signal group with whom Hegseth shared planning details about the Houthi airstrikes, which took place in mid-March. The first Signal chat, a principals group which comprised top national security officials, was created by national security adviser Michael Waltz, and its existence was exposed by Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg, who was added to the group in error by Waltz.
Hegseth claims he did not disclose classified information in either of the chat groups. The Defense Department acting inspector general is reviewing his disclosures.
"We're focused on recruiting, on rooting out DEI, on securing our southwest border, on the president's agenda, and it's going very well at the Pentagon, and I'm proud of it," Hegseth said Tuesday on Fox.
The Pentagon restricted access to its briefing room on Feb. 21, barring reporters unless officials were speaking. Previously, press could use the room, one of the few places they could connect to Wi-Fi in the secure building, to file stories and to conduct on-camera reports.
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Oh, OK then. Well, it's very important that the Secretary of Defense looks his best for all of his TV appearances.
Did Colin Powell wear make-up for TV interviews?
I thought Hegseth was a manly man. Do manly men now wear make-up? Oh, wait, I get it. Got to cover those eyebags after a raucous night of spending it with Jack Daniels
They all wear makeup for TV interviews, mostly in-studio ones. The network does it for everyone they see who may need a little less shine on their faces.
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OG republicans really wanted him to wear at least 2 coats of beige latex for TV appearances when he was popular ...
Who doesn't get makeup for a tv appearance? Must be a slow day to try and make this an issue.
“Link?” ~ rdtc
Asking for a link for a question?
How many Secretaries of Defense other than Hegless have spent thousands of taxpayers dollars installing a make-up room in the Pentagon? Name them.
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if they start doing hair implants, trumpski will be visiting the DoD more often ...
Isn't he wearing a wig?
it's a hair hat ...
I don't think so. At a White House function (this past Wednesday) for wealthy CEOs delivering news of their intent to do manufacturing in this country: Trump told the CEO of Johnson and Johnson, he, Donald uses a lot of his hair products (See: CNN's, The Lead with Jake Tapper).
I looked for, but couldn't find an indication that this was satire.
Getting your make-up just right for a TV appearance is serious business.
I assume Trump was all for it, having realized its importance back at the days of "The Apprentice". Now that I think of it, The present American administration, made up of Trump and his sycophants surrounding him is just like an enlarged version of "The Apprentice" - Trump sitting at the head, dictating, hiring and firing at will. Can anyone else see the parallel?
Yes. And I mentioned it in a discussion with friend TiG, back around January or February 2025:
You sure got that right.
Maybe he and JD Vance can share makeup tips.
They probably already do.
didn't they bust vance for wearing eye liner last year?
Meanwhile, we now have conclusive proof that Trump is a member of MS-13. Next stop, El Salvador.
Elon? Elon are you out there?
For a guy widely marketed as a “warrior,” he may be the biggest pussy to ever run the Department of Defense.
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Hey Trump 'grabbed' him to head, the DOD (Wonder if that stands for Do Oral Dude) didn;t he ? My condolences if you need a link to figure this out.
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Don't you kow, these days all of the toughest roughest 'WAR FIGHTERS' get their nails and hair done before briefings
When didn't they?
Never.
Correct. They always did
Wrong. There has never been a Secretary of Defense before Hegless who set up a make up room in the Pentagon.
But they sat in that chair in some room getting it done. [✘] is making it easier to prep without having to go somewhere else.
He apparently feels the need to have pentagon officials look 'television grade' - signaling that somehow or other they have failed to do so in the past. And this concern pouring out of "Mr. Lethality" -himself. One would think he would use that 'room' to put 'war paint' and axle-grease on himself to look 'tough' and bruised and all 'dirty jobs' and crap.
But, no glam is what he is after. /s.
Let's not forget. The only reason he was hired is because Trump thought he looked good on TV. He certainly wouldn't want to disappoint his Dear Leader.
The man is supposed to be a warrior. I didn't think he was hired to be a pretty face
And he carries the 'fiery red flame' of Trump bluster into the military theater. You know, the façade of youth, chiseled, beefy, . . . wait I am getting a little distracted. . . .
Okay. The Trump administration wanted to model military boldness, lethality, bruising, and fitness. . . and then we learn that the defense head is smitten by the 'cute' bug that bit him on the Fox Network set.
Oh TG:
Note: That cross on his chest the story goes indicates Christian Nationalism.
Hegseth, in this link above says he is one who wears his views on his 'sleeve.'
My son-in-law has to hide his tattoos when he's on duty. He's in ANG
Well he should point to the Defense Secretary's revealing tatoos!
It will ease the burden on him.
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that's the fake xtian swastika ...
I can just IMAGINE the mocking that would be going on from MAGAs had a trans-person secretary of defense wanted a makeup room installed as a point of interest for television 'production.' Imagine with me and you will hear the mockings 'playing' themselves out.
They sure would. And not a damn one of them will comment on your post about it
It would far exceed your wildest imagination, and it wouldn't just be Trump supporters.
So no need to wonder why the 'pretty boy' secretary is getting the treatment! Note that this is the case of what you see is what you get. Had Hegseth not come into office attempting to 'violate' trans-service people with his personal biases against them. . . had he simply remembered to do unto others as he would have them do unto him. . . then maybe his proclivity for having a 'powder room' for himself and pentagon officials that go on-air would not be "breaking news" - it could have stayed under the radar of coverable news.
Trans-people give themselves the 'pancake' treatment before going on air or they use media staffing to 'gussy' them up. It costs the armed forces nothing on their account.
Of course not. I can't wait for the memes.
I'll pass on the memes. It is enough for me to know that 'mad men' are turned on by their own beaut-y-ful images in the limelight. /s
I worry the troops will now want make-up treatments and moisturizing supplies before going into 'service,' do you? /s
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As the GOP is complacent in 47 and his medical mental deficient cabinet 'mocking' our Constitution and the dreams of many great men and women who sacrificed much, just to watch an arrogant pathetic child FA n FO, in so many ways more than any of US bargained for in my humble opine.
Between Re-Pete mistake after mistake Hegseth as he divulges our military plans via unsecured measure, we have Tumps E con oh me out of money team of Rocket Surgeons cutting off peoples that knows to spite all around and about FACE IT Repubs, you elected one giant hot mess
hahahahaha
Who 'taught' him how to do it? Inquiring minds would love to know. So that moisturized man on your television set is glammed by his own hands! /s
Weird, isn't it. Reactionaries lead the way in distorting reality.
They can't help themselves
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Its from "the seed." You know, the one you suggested I "read the seed."
Apparently, the one who suggested you read the seed didn't.
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He didn't present it as something you said. He quoted from the seed you suggested he read in order to further the discussion.
Your comment is so pathetic it's laughable.
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You have to kjeep in mind though that the military plans which were divulged were already approved by this country's current leader.
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I see one of the stooges is looking for a new job today.
Perhaps he can apply as Hegeth's stylist?
Also I see new judge will have to make Trump's liberal activist's list...
Oh wait... this guy was appointed by Trump! Whaaattt?
Disloyalty in the ranks!
They probably weren't gargling the choad enough.
he kept smudging the spit shine on the helmets ...
'America' first!
Trump is now appointing him as United Nations Ambassador. Think about how badly Waltz will screw that up.
It requires approval of the Senate, so we'll get to see another example of how feckless the Senate republicons are.
“Trump is now appointing him as United Nations Ambasssdor.”
…shuffling dreck chairs on the Titanic…
Well Walz still has all the credentials that Trump cares about. Walz is a sycophant who will praise Trump, never contradict him, and do whatever Trump tells him to do.
Competence, experience, etc. are irrelevant .... just look at Hegseth as example 1.
Trump has an entire Cabinet like that. Hell, he has an entire political party like that.
Just look at Trump as example 1.
I know, the entire cabinet (and other appointments / nominations) was selected based on the criteria I noted.
We knew how bad it was going to be. It's even worse.
I agree, I did not imagine that Trump would be this bad.
I did. I figured that as miserable as I could imagine he would be, he would be even more awful.
being a little bit fascist is like being a little bit pregnant ...
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