Taxpayer outrage as Pete Hegseth reportedly splurges thousands of dollars turning Pentagon room into make-up studio for TV appearances

In the midst of increasing reports of chaos at the Pentagon, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is being scrutinized once again, this time for investing thousands of taxpayers' dollars into converting a Pentagon green room into a fully equipped makeup studio, as per a report.

Pentagon Makeover Sparks Backlash Amid Budget Cuts

The project, which was conducted earlier this year, has come under scrutiny, particularly as it comes during a period when the Trump administration has been publicly championing cost-saving and fiscal responsibility, as per CBS News.

Hegseth, who once co-hosted Fox News' show- 'Fox & Friends', ordered the makeover of a space adjacent to the Pentagon's press briefing room and turned it into a facility to prepare senior leaders and VIPs for media appearances, according to the report.


The green room, previously had minimal furnishings, comprising a table and chairs, a TV, photos of former defense secretaries, and a mirror on the back of the door, reported CBS News. But now, the in-house construction crew renovated the room and the table was removed and a new chair and a large mirror with makeup lighting were installed, as per the report.

Pentagon Defends the Move

However, according to spokesperson of the defense department, "Changes and upgrades to the Pentagon Briefing Room are nothing new and routinely happen during changes in an administration," quoted CBS News. The spokesperson also mentioned, “For this upgrade, we were deliberately conservative and opted for several less expensive, on-hand materiel solutions,” as quoted in the report.

As per CBS News' sources, the idea to renovate the green room at the Pentagon was given by Tami Radabaugh, who is the deputy assistant to the secretary for strategic engagement and a former producer for Fox News and for CBS News.

The plan was approved by Sean Parnell, the Pentagon’s chief spokesperson, and Jennifer Hegseth, the defense secretary's wife, who is also a former Fox producer, reported CBS News.

FAQs

What’s the Pentagon’s official stance?
They say such changes are routine and part of administration transitions.

What else is Hegseth being criticized for?
He’s also under fire for allegedly sharing sensitive military information over Signal chats.