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.
Overview
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.
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Analysis
- 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.
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CBS News·2M·FAQ
The makeup studio was ordered to prepare senior officials for television appearances, as part of routine updates during administrative changes.
The project cost several thousand dollars, drawing scrutiny as it was implemented during a time when the administration is seeking budget cuts.
The suggestion for the upgrade came from Tami Radabaugh, and it was endorsed by the chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell and Jennifer Hegseth.
History
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