Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is once again at the center of a Washington controversy following reports that a room within the Pentagon has been quietly refurbished into a makeup-ready green room for high-ranking officials preparing for television appearances.
The move, which was confirmed by a Pentagon spokesperson, has drawn swift condemnation from Democrats and ethics critics who accuse Hegseth of misusing government resources and prioritizing media optics over national security obligations.
While the Department of Defense insists the project involved only modest changes using existing materials, the optics of creating a glam room within the walls of America’s most fortified military hub has fueled new outrage against the already embattled Secretary.
The room in question, informally known as the Green Room, was previously a basic space with little more than a table, a few chairs, and framed photographs of former Pentagon leaders. That changed recently when it was quietly upgraded with what officials describe as minor additions: a director’s-style chair, a lighted mirror, and a makeup light, along with a custom-built countertop crafted by the Pentagon’s own in-house construction team.
The Defense Department insists the furniture and lighting were drawn from existing inventory and that no significant taxpayer dollars were spent. “Most of the changes in the Green Room were furniture modifications — a director’s style chair, mirror, and a makeup light — all of which were added from existing inventories,” the Pentagon confirmed in a statement.
“For this upgrade we were deliberately conservative and opted for several less expensive, on-hand material solutions.”
Despite these assurances, the backlash has been swift and blistering. Lawmakers and critics have ridiculed the concept of a makeup-ready room in the heart of the Department of Defense, accusing Hegseth of turning a serious institution into a vanity operation for public relations stunts.
The outrage is compounded by Hegseth’s ongoing scandal involving the unauthorized use of Signal, an encrypted messaging app, to share sensitive military information. He drew sharp criticism last month when it was revealed that a journalist was mistakenly added to a Signal group chat containing top-secret planning discussions between Hegseth and senior Trump administration officials.
That breach triggered calls from several Democratic lawmakers for his resignation and raised significant concerns about his judgment and commitment to operational security.
“Nothing screams warrior culture more than a makeup studio,” said Rep. Ted Lieu in a sharply worded post on social media. The criticism was echoed by others, including Sen. Ruben Gallego, who mockingly posted a GIF of Arnold Schwarzenegger painting black stripes across his body in the film Predator, captioned “Only makeup that our Sec Def should be putting on.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer joined the pile-on, posting that “Sources say his favorite makeup products at the Pentagon are concealer and coverup.” Meanwhile, Rep. Jared Moskowitz chimed in with a lipstick emoji referencing Hegseth’s earlier Signal scandal, where emojis in a chatroom unintentionally exposed operational discussions to a civilian journalist.
In response to the growing firestorm, the Defense Department has gone on the defensive, denying claims that the project cost thousands of dollars as reported by CBS News. “We didn’t cost thousands,” read a statement posted on the Pentagon’s official account, pushing back against the idea that taxpayer money was irresponsibly spent.
“Items that were added to the GREEN ROOM (not a makeup studio) came from existing inventory.” Nonetheless, the clarification did little to stem the tide of criticism, particularly from Democrats who argue the move is emblematic of deeper cultural and ethical concerns within the current administration’s leadership at the Pentagon.
The Department attempted to frame the change as routine. “Changes and upgrades to the Pentagon Briefing Room are nothing new and routinely happen during changes in an Administration,” a spokesperson explained.
They further emphasized the functional purpose of the space as a preparation area for senior leaders to collect themselves and present professionally before engaging with the media. Yet the argument fell flat for many observers who see the decision as tone-deaf and inappropriate, especially at a time when defense budgets and military readiness are under heightened scrutiny.
Critics point out that the timing of the upgrade adds to its problematic nature. Hegseth has faced increased pressure over what some insiders describe as a chaotic tenure at the Department of Defense. Since taking office, several top advisers have either resigned or been reassigned amid an internal probe into information leaks and protocol violations.
These controversies, combined with his past life as a television personality on Fox News, have led some to question whether he brings the gravitas and discipline necessary for the role of Defense Secretary. Turning a Pentagon room into what many now deride as a vanity suite has only deepened the skepticism.
Further complicating the issue is the broader political context surrounding Hegseth’s appointment and his relationship with President Trump. A vocal Trump ally, Hegseth has operated with the full backing of the White House despite mounting controversies.
His defenders argue that providing a polished environment for government officials to prepare for public statements is not only reasonable but necessary in the media-driven climate of modern politics. They claim the backlash is overblown and driven more by partisan animosity than by substantive concerns.
Still, the question remains whether the investment of time, effort, and personnel into what appears to be a cosmetic improvement is justifiable when weighed against other pressing defense priorities.
Military analysts and transparency advocates warn that even symbolic decisions carry weight, especially when they give the appearance of misplaced priorities or personal indulgence. “How does a makeup studio at Pentagon help troops?” Rep. Lieu asked pointedly, echoing the frustration of many who see the move as more befitting a network television studio than the headquarters of the United States military.
For now, the controversy shows no signs of abating. Democrats are continuing to demand accountability not only for the green room upgrade but also for the broader questions of conduct and national security that have dogged Hegseth’s tenure.
Some lawmakers are reportedly considering an inquiry into the Signal messaging scandal and are weighing whether the green room incident reflects a broader pattern of ethical lapses and questionable spending. Whether this results in formal investigations or administrative consequences remains to be seen, but the political cost is already apparent.
The clash over a seemingly minor refurbishment has become emblematic of a larger cultural divide within Washington. On one side are those who view media preparation as a legitimate and necessary function of high office. On the other are those who believe such efforts should never eclipse the solemn responsibilities entrusted to national defense leaders.
For Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the transformation of a small Pentagon space into a pre-broadcast haven may be remembered not for the lighted mirror or countertop but for the political firestorm it ignited across Capitol Hill.
