Pete Hegseth, as Secretary of War, delivered a punishing retort to a CNN reporter’s question about the cost of U.S. military operations in the Western Hemisphere, tied to counter-cartel efforts and ensuring justice for an indicted individual, plus the seizure of two Venezuelan-linked oil tankers under sanctions enforcement.
Firing back, he called it disingenuous, noting such cost queries are rarely raised for missions in the Mediterranean, Red Sea, Indian Ocean, or Pacific. Hegseth hailed the operation as one of the most historic and sophisticated in history, achievable only by the U.S.
Additionally, Hegseth emphasized the administration’s action-oriented approach under President Trump. Public reactions praised Hegseth for confronting biased media spin and prioritizing America First dominance in the hemisphere
Blasting the dishonest journalist, Hegseth began, “Yeah, I want to emphasize that question from CNN. The question is never asked, ‘How much does it cost when they’re in the Mediterranean or the Red Sea or the Indian Ocean or the Pacific,’ but now that they’re in our hemisphere on a counter cartel mission or ensuring that an indicted individual comes to justice, now you’re asking the question of cost.”
“It’s a disingenuous question to begin with. You’re trying to find any angle possible to undermine the success of one of the most historic military missions the world has ever seen,” the courageous former Fox News host added.
Building on this point, Hegseth stated, “The level of sophistication that the Senate was just briefed on and the House was briefed on a classified level is something only the United States of America can accomplish. The world is taking notice of that.”
“Certainly, Venezuela is taking notice of that, and it continues because two oil tankers, two overnight, were seized by the United States of America, stateless or sanctioned. Because of the oil blockade, the quarantine of oil out of unsanctioned or stateless, sanctioned or stateless vessels continues,” the Secretary of War explained.
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Concluding his comments, Hegseth noted, “That leverage will continue, as Secretary Rubio outlined, so our military is prepared to continue this. As he said, the President, when he speaks, he means it, means it. He’s not messing around. We are an administration of action to advance our interests, and that is on full display.”
Reacting to the viral clip, one woman noted, “America First is using our superior capabilities to control our hemisphere. They can bitch and moan about it not being fair, but idgaf. We set the rules and they abide by them.”
“Hegseth did what every American’s wanted to do for years, call out CNN to their face for spinning real wins into fake crises,” another comment pointed out. “They need to be reminded what their actual job description is as far as the American people,” another comment read.
Watch the clip here:
A user declared, “We really are capable of forming our own opinions without being led into it by a biased media. It’s no wonder there are so many haters out there though because these “journalists” are only looking to ask questions to try to trip them up or if it’s usable to fit that outlet’s bias…they no longer just report facts. It’s DISGRACEFUL!”
Featured image from embedded video