Pete Hegseth thrashes ‘fake news’ for turning service members’ deaths into ‘front page news’

WASHINGTON, DC: Pete Hegseth called out the media for reporting on the deaths of six US soldiers who were killed over the weekend when an "unmanned aircraft system" hit a makeshift operations center in Port Shuaiba, Kuwait. The Secretary of War also claimed that the press only wants to make President Donald Trump “look bad.”

Hegseth’s statement came during a Wednesday, March 4, press briefing at the Pentagon as he gave updates on the US and Israel’s coordinated attacks on Iran. He asserted that US and Israeli forces would soon take control of Tehran but also noted that the war-embattled nation “will still be able to shoot some missiles”.

Pete Hegseth blasts media over Iran war coverage

The government official told the press, "they need to target civilians because they can't fight toe to toe, but we will fight them, and we will kill them.”

Hegseth then, however, directed his attack toward the media, stating, “This is what the fake news misses. We’ve taken control of Iran’s airspace and waterways without boots on the ground. We control their fate. But when a few drones get through or tragic things happen, it’s front page news.”

“I get it. The press only wants to make the president look bad, but try for once to report the reality. The terms of this war will be set by US at every step!” he asserted.

Dan Caine vows fallen troops won’t be forgotten

The six US service members who lost their lives on Sunday were Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert M Marzan, 54, Maj Jeffrey R O'Brien, 45, Capt Cody Khork, 35, Sgt Noah Tietjens, 42, Sgt Nicole Amor, 39, and Sgt Declan Coady, 20.

During the press briefing, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair General Dan Caine remembered those killed as he said, “To our Gold Star families, to our wounded warriors and their loved ones, we will never forget your sacrifice.”

Also in a statement, US Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll had added, “These men and women all bravely volunteered to defend our country, and their sacrifice will never be forgotten.”

Trump addresses casualties in Iran conflict

This came after, on March 2, when the first three deaths were reported, Trump had reportedly said, “We have three, but we expect casualties, but in the end it’s going to be a great deal for the world.”

Also in a Truth Social video, the Republican leader stated, “And sadly, there will likely be more [deaths] before it ends. That’s the way it is. Likely be more,” before adding, “But we’ll do everything possible where that won’t be the case.”