Pentagon’s New Makeup Studio Sparks Controversy Amid Cost-Cutting Measures
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth orders the creation of a makeup studio at the Pentagon for televised appearances, raising eyebrows over timing and funding.
As I wrote in a feature last month, the physical appearance of those in President Donald Trump’s orbit, a man notorious for his obsession with the literal pageantry of beauty, is paramount; the tactics employed to achieve prominent positions of power in this administration seem to rely on how camera-ready you appear.
The Pentagon Is Getting a New Glam Room
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Changes and upgrades to the Pentagon Briefing Room are nothing new and routinely happen during changes in an administration.
New York Sun·9d·Mixed ReliableThis source has a mixed track record—sometimes accurate but also prone to bias, sensationalism, or incomplete reporting.RightThis outlet favors right-wing views.
The price tag for the project was several thousand dollars, according to two of the sources, at a time when the administration is searching for cost-cutting measures.
Hegseth orders makeup studio installed at Pentagon
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Summary
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the retrofit of a room adjacent to the Pentagon press briefing area into a makeup studio for senior officials. The project, costing several thousand dollars, has drawn scrutiny as the administration expresses a need for budget cuts. The upgrades, endorsed by former colleagues from Fox News, include a lighting-equipped mirror and a director's chair. Hegseth has not formally briefed the press but has used the room for televised interviews, including defending his actions related to information sharing in military operations. The changes are framed as routine updates in the department.
Perspectives
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered a retrofitting of the Pentagon's briefing room to include a makeup studio for television appearances, acknowledging the trend of appearance-focused upgrades in political agencies.
The cost of the renovation, a few thousand dollars, raises questions about financial priorities as the administration seeks cost-cutting measures, especially amidst scandals involving Hegseth's communication practices.
While the upgrades are framed as routine administrative changes, concerns persist regarding their timing and the implications for transparency and accountability in the Pentagon.