Hegseth Rips Media: A Patriotic Press Would Report “Iran Shrinking, Going Underground”
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth delivered a press conference on Friday on the status of the Iran war and blasted what he called “fake news” coverage of the conflict. Hegseth announced that today will be the highest level of strikes in Iran. Hegseth criticized CNN for reporting the administration “underestimated” Iran’s impact on the Strait of Hormuz, saying, “The sooner David Ellison takes over that network, the better.” “More fake news from CNN,” Hegseth said. “Reports that the Trump administration underestimated the Iran war’s impact on the Strait of Hormuz. Patently ridiculous, of course. For decades, Iran has threatened shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. This is always what they do, hold the Strait hostage. CNN doesn’t think we thought of that. It’s a fundamentally unserious report. The sooner David Ellison takes over that network, the better.” “Another example of a fake headline that I saw yesterday. War widening. Here’s a real headline for you for an actual patriotic press. How about Iran shrinking, going underground?” Hegseth suggested.
SECRETARY OF WAR PETE HEGSETH: Cowering. That’s what rats do. We know the new so-called not-so-supreme leader is wounded and likely disfigured. He put out a statement yesterday, a weak one actually, but there was no voice and there was no video. It was a written statement. He called for unity. Apparently killing tens of thousands of protesters is his kind of unity. Iran has plenty of cameras and plenty of voice recorders. Why a written statement? I think you know why. His father, dead. He’s scared. He’s injured. He’s on the run and he lacks legitimacy. It’s a mess for them. Who’s in charge? Iran may not even know. With every passing hour, we know and we know they know that the military capabilities of their evil regime are crumbling. They can barely communicate, let alone coordinate. They’re confused and we know it. Our response? We will keep pressing. We will keep pushing, keep advancing. No quarter, no mercy for our enemies. Yet some in this crew, in the press, just can’t stop. Allow me to make a few suggestions. People look up at the TV and they see banners, they see headlines. I used to be in that business and I know that everything is written intentionally. For example, a banner or a headline. Mid-East war intensifies, splashing on the screen the last couple of days alongside visuals of civilian or energy targets that Iran has hit because that’s what they do. What should the banner read instead? How about Iran increasingly desperate? Because they are. They know it and so do you, if it can be admitted. Or more fake news from CNN. Reports that the Trump administration underestimated the Iran war’s impact on the Strait of Hormuz. Patently ridiculous, of course. For decades, Iran has threatened shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. This is always what they do, hold the Strait hostage. CNN doesn’t think we thought of that. It’s a fundamentally unserious report. The sooner David Ellison takes over that network, the better. Another example of a fake headline that I saw yesterday. War widening. Here’s a real headline for you for an actual patriotic press. How about Iran shrinking, going underground? You see Iran’s leaders are hiding in bunkers and moving into civilian areas. The only thing that is widening is our advantage. Not to mention our Gulf partners stepping up even more now going on the offense and have always been with us on the defense with collective and integrated air defenses. Our will, it is unshakable. Our options maximized and our capabilities still building. We’re going up, they’re going down. As I said from the start, President Trump holds the cards. He’ll determine the pace, the tempo, and the timing of this conflict. His hand firmly on the wheel as well as on the throttle setting. America first, peace through strength.
