During a Pentagon news conference on Thursday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth blasted Jennifer Griffin, his former coworker at Fox News, as being among the worst and purposefully misrepresenting the president’s statements.
I disagree with that, Griffin, Fox’s chief national security journalist, said, defending her coverage of the American bombing of Iran’s nuclear installations.
Prior to being chosen defense secretary by President Donald Trump, Hegseth was a Fox News anchor. He frequently attacked the media and questioned its patriotism for covering an initial assessment of the bombing over the weekend that questioned the extent of the damage done to Iran’s nuclear program.
Griffin’s criticism was noteworthy since, less than a year ago, she and Hegseth worked for the same company, a news network that has seen its image fluctuate wildly over the last ten years in Trump’s eyes.
Given satellite images showing more than a dozen trucks were spotted at the mountain bunker two days prior to the U.S. bombing, Griffin had questioned Hegseth about whether there was any assurance that highly enriched uranium was stored there.
Hegseth stated, “Of course, we’re watching every single aspect.” However, Jennifer, you have been the worst—the one who purposefully misrepresents the president’s statements.
Regarding Hegseth’s remarks, Fox management did not immediately respond. Brit Hume, a Fox analyst, described it as an unjustified attack. According to Hume, her experience, expertise, and professionalism are unparalleled.
However, Hume did appear to attack other news outlets for covering the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency’s original conclusion. According to him, it was disheartening since it is common for the media of our time to emphasize and exaggerate any unfavorable story that could be found in the wake of the US military activity.
The administration is looking into who leaked a copy of the intelligence agency’s findings, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Thursday. Trump was obviously displeased with the press coverage because the report’s initial findings went against his claims that the attack completely destroyed Iran’s nuclear program.
The administration directed its ire at CNN reporter Natasha Bertrand, who assisted in breaking the story, for a second day. CNN, which on Wednesday declared that it fully supported Bertrand’s work, defended her on Thursday, stating that its coverage of the Trump administration’s own report was not intended to minimize the military’s efforts.
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