Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth blasted a CBS News report that said he ordered the installation of a makeup studio in the Pentagon.

The report, which was published on April 23, cited various sources who stated that Hegseth recently ordered modifications to a room next to the Pentagon press briefing room.

Hegseth has been roiled with controversies recently. Earlier this week, it was revealed that he shared sensitive military information about U.S. airstrikes in Yemen using a Signal group chat, which included his wife, his brother and his lawyer, all individuals who do not have any clear national security roles.

They mentioned that he wanted to upgrade it with a makeup studio, which can be used to prepare for television appearances.

According to two insiders, the project cost several thousand dollars, and the second Trump administration is looking 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 mentioned in a statement.

The renovation that was initially planned had been estimated to cost over $40,000, but the concepts were scaled back.

An in-house construction crew renovated the green room earlier this year.

According to one source, the room already had minimal furnishings, including a table with chairs, a television, photos of former defense secretaries and a mirror on the back of the door.

A different source mentioned that the table had been removed and that a new chair and large mirror with makeup lighting had been installed. 

On Wednesday, Hegseth shared an X post denying the information in the CBS News report.

“1) Totally fake story. No ‘orders’ and no ‘makeup’ – but whatever,” the Secretary of Defense wrote on the platform.

“2) We should have installed tampon machines in every men’s bathroom at DoD instead – the leftist ‘news’ media would have loved that.”

A defense official told CBS News that Hegseth does his own makeup before television appearances and is not paying for a makeup artist. 

Multiple insiders say Tami Radabaugh, the deputy assistant to the secretary for strategic engagement, suggested upgrading the space.

Sean Parnell, the Chief Pentagon spokesman, and Jennifer Hegseth, the defense secretary’s wife, conveyed their approval for the upgrade before it was undertaken. 

Parnell stated that the green room will be available to senior leaders and VIPs before press engagements.

The Defense Department spokesperson stated that the new items, like a director’s chair, came from existing inventories.

Additionally, a new countertop was constructed by the facilities services staff. 

“For this upgrade, we were deliberately conservative and opted for several less expensive, on-hand materiel solutions,” Parnell stated. 

In late March, Hegseth ordered an end to all U.S. cybersecurity efforts against Russia by his department.

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Article by Alessio Atria

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