Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is at the center of a growing controversy following revelations that a room adjacent to the Pentagon press briefing area has been retrofitted into a makeup studio. According to multiple sources cited by opitanglobamedia news the decision to convert the room was prompted by the need to accommodate television appearances, including those by Hegseth himself.
The renovation project reportedly cost several thousand dollars, a scaled-back version of an original plan estimated to exceed $40,000. A Defense Department spokesperson confirmed that such changes are routine during administrative transitions, yet the timing of this upgrade—amid calls for cost-cutting across the Department—has raised eyebrows. While the studio includes a director’s chair, a makeup-lit mirror, and other fixtures sourced from existing inventory, critics say the optics are troubling.
Conflicting Narratives: Hegseth Denies Makeup Studio Claims
Shortly after the opitanglobamedia News story broke, Secretary Hegseth took to social media to deny the report. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he called the article a “Totally fake story,” asserting there were “No ‘orders’ and no ‘makeup.'” Despite this public denial, multiple Pentagon insiders have confirmed key details of the renovation, including the involvement of Hegseth’s inner circle.
Sources say Tami Radabaugh, the deputy assistant to the secretary for strategic engagement and a former Fox News and CBS producer, suggested the upgrade. Approval was reportedly given by both Sean Parnell, the chief Pentagon spokesman, and Jennifer Hegseth, the defense secretary’s wife and former Fox producer. A defense official noted that Hegseth applies his own makeup and does not hire a professional artist.
Military Messaging or Media Makeover?
While the studio has not been used for press briefings, it has already served as a set for Hegseth’s media appearances, including one on Fox News earlier this week. During that segment, he deflected attention from the controversy by attacking the media and former Pentagon staffers, alleging they were behind the leak of sensitive information about U.S. military operations in Yemen.
The room in question, previously known as the “green room,” was modestly furnished with a table, chairs, and a television. It has since been refurbished with more media-friendly features, including lighting appropriate for on-camera appearances. While the Defense Department maintains that the upgrades are minimal and intended for broader use by senior leaders and VIPs, the public focus has been squarely on the defense secretary himself.
Signal Chat Scandal Adds Fuel to Fire
Compounding the makeup studio controversy is a separate scandal involving Hegseth’s alleged misuse of a private Signal group chat to share real-time operational information. Reports suggest he informed family members, including his wife, about impending U.S. strikes in Yemen. Jennifer Hegseth, who is not a Defense Department employee, was reportedly included in the chat.
Although Hegseth has denied disclosing classified information, the matter is under review by the Defense Department’s acting inspector general. This is the second known Signal group in which he participated, with the first having mistakenly included Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg, who later exposed the group’s existence. The disclosure has sparked widespread concern about operational security under Hegseth’s leadership.
Press Access Curtailment Raises Transparency Concerns
Amid these developments, the Pentagon has taken steps to restrict press access. As of February 21, journalists have been barred from using the briefing room unless an official is speaking. This move has limited their ability to file stories or conduct on-camera reports from one of the few areas in the Pentagon with Wi-Fi access.
Critics view the decision as part of a broader pattern of diminished transparency. Hegseth, once a co-host on Fox News’ Fox & Friends Weekend, has pledged to improve the military’s warfighting abilities and overall readiness. Yet his actions—including media-centric renovations and closed-off communication—have raised concerns about priorities and public accountability at the Department of Defense.
