In a tense exchange during a press conference at the Pentagon, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth publicly criticized Jennifer Griffin, the network’s Pentagon correspondent, branding her as “the worst” in her reporting on the recent U.S. strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities.
The confrontation occurred amid heightened scrutiny of the military operation, which President Donald Trump claimed had “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
The press conference was convened specifically to address reports suggesting that the bombing may not have been as successful as the administration had claimed.
Both CNN and The New York Times reported on leaked intelligence indicating that Iran could be only months away from developing a nuclear weapon, a narrative that undermined the White House’s assertions of a decisive victory.
As Hegseth addressed the assembled journalists, he chastised them for their coverage, implying that their bias against Trump affected their reporting.
“You cheer against Trump so hard, like in your DNA,” he stated, alleging that journalists were eager to downplay the efficacy of the military strikes.
The situation escalated when Griffin posed a follow-up question regarding the status of highly enriched uranium in Iran, referencing satellite imagery that suggested the material may have been relocated ahead of the strikes.
Hegseth responded dismissively, pivoting to his earlier remarks about Griffin’s reporting. “But Jennifer, you’ve been about the worst,” he asserted, catching her off guard.
Griffin, taken aback by the personal attack, defended her record, emphasizing her accurate reporting on the military operation and the associated details.
FOX NEWS'S JENNIFER GRIFFIN: Are you certain none of that highly enriched uranium was moved?
HEGSETH: Jennifer, you've been about the worst. The one who misrepresents the most intentionally.
GRIFFIN: I take issue with that pic.twitter.com/YNi30aMnrb
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 26, 2025
“I reported on the ventilation shafts on Saturday night,” she replied, attempting to clarify her role in covering the story.
Despite the heated exchange, Hegseth continued to deflect, asserting the effectiveness of the military operation while also dismissing concerns about the implications of the uranium’s whereabouts.
He further criticized the media for what he saw as an obsession with narrative over facts.
The incident highlights the increasingly contentious relationship between certain media figures and the administration, particularly in the context of military actions.
As the debate around U.S. foreign policy continues to unfold, the dynamics of accountability and journalistic integrity remain at the forefront of public discourse.
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