Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has denied a report that he ordered a room in the Pentagon be turned into a makeup studio at a price tag of several thousand dollars.
CBS News reported from multiple sources about the make-up studio. At that time, it was noted by a Defense Department official that changes like this one are routinely made.
“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.
Hegseth has since responded on X, calling the report “fake,” while also taking a swipe at Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.
“1) Totally fake story. No ‘orders’ and no ‘makeup’ — but whatever,” he posted. “2) We should have installed tampon machines in every men’s bathroom at DoD instead — the leftist “news” media would have loved that.”
The name “Tampon Tim” refers to a law that Walz signed which required public schools to provide menstrual products — including pads and tampons — to students in 4th through 12th grades, NPR explained. The nickname became popular when Walz was running for vice president on the Democratic ticket last year.
According to CBS News, the make-up studio was originally projected to cost more than $40,000, but was eventually revised. A new chair, countertop and large mirror with makeup lighting were installed, one source said.
Hegseth came to the Pentagon from Fox News’ “Fox & Friends Weekend” where he was an on-air co-host. The secretary is doing his own makeup, per another source.
The room will be available to senior leaders and VIPs prior, a Defense Department spokesperson said.
“For this upgrade we were deliberately conservative and opted for several less expensive, on-hand materiel solutions,” the spokesperson said.
This report is the latest in Hegseth’s short tenure that has nohim in a positive light.
“The New York Times” reported Hegseth shared ideas about upcoming airstrikes with his wife, brother, and lawyer via Signal, an encrypted messaging app. That came on the heels of news“The Atlantic” last month reported Hegseth shared the same plans with more than a dozen government officials — as well as an editor —on Signal.
Hegseth has said he did not disclose classified information in either instance, which are being reviewed by the Defense Department’s acting inspector general.
“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.
