What to Know
If there’s one person in the government and in Donald Trump‘s inner circle who has no qualms about the amount of war Trump wants, it’s Pete Hegseth. When the United States secretary of war spoke about Iran and the media’s perception of the conflict and of Trump, he claimed that the media is actually out to get Trump.
So don’t worry, because everything is just made up to make Trump look bad. He didn’t really instigate the bombing of Iran with Israel, and he totally hasn’t spoken out against Iran developing nuclear weapons that he is sure the country has. Just kidding, because, per CBS News, Trump definitely did those things. According to Hegseth in a video on X (formerly Twitter), though, the members of the media are just a bunch of meanies.
Pete Hegseth really thinks the media is out to get him and Trump.
BREAKING: Pete Hegseth attacks the press for reporting on the deaths of American troops in Iran because it makes Trump look bad. pic.twitter.com/YPysT1asEF
— Really American 🇺🇸 (@ReallyAmerican1) March 4, 2026
In the video on X, Hegseth gasses up Trump and his plans for fighting against forces in Iran and getting through the country’s airspace successfully. According to Hegseth, the fake news media hasn’t told Americans the truth about what’s actually happening or the impact Trump is having on Iran and, by extension, the U.S. in a positive way. Even for the Department of War, it’s a lot to take in from one short video.
“This is what the fake news misses,” Hegseth says. “We’ve taken control of Iran’s airspace and waterways without boots on the ground. We control their fate. But when a few drones get through, or tragic things happen, it’s front page news. I get it. The press only wants to make the president look bad, but try for once to report the reality.”
He really thought he ate with those lines, which he reads off a paper in front of him in the clip. Hegseth also mentions the “terms of the war” and how the U.S. will remain in control. Really, though, all some people heard was Hegseth whining about how Trump is perceived by the media and by some Americans.
One user replied to the X post with Hegseth’s video with, “It doesn’t take much to make Trump look bad, he does a good job of that himself.”
Another pointed out, “And there it is folks. Hegseth being the front man because this war is all about Trump. And the damn press showed a blemish. And yet there are still so many that continue to support him. Heaven forbid we honor our fallen soldiers that lost their lives because we entered into a war with still no clear understanding as to why now!!”
He also doesn’t mind fighting in Iran for as long as needed, so there’s that.
Someone else commented on the thread below the X post to share their thoughts on Hegseth playing at war with his role and wanting to appear to be in power no matter the cost. Per CBS News, Hegseth said that the U.S. military is “just getting started” when it comes to fighting Iran.
“It’s very early, and as President Trump has said, we will take all the time we need to make sure that we succeed,” he said. So just to summarize, regardless of the lives lost, Hegseth is ready for whatever measures Trump deems necessary. Cool cool cool.
