3 weeks ago
Trump Denies Report of Clash With Hegseth Over Weapons
A big newspaper called The Washington Post wrote a story about President Donald Trump and his defense secretary, Pete Hegseth.
The story said the president was upset because the military was running low on some very important weapons.
It said he asked Mr. Hegseth about the weapons during a meeting at Camp David.
President Trump says that story is not true.
He wrote on a social media site called Truth Social that he is extremely happy with Mr. Hegseth.
He also said the newspaper's reporting is treasonous, which means he thinks it is very harmful.
The White House and the Pentagon both said the meeting described in the story never happened.
Mr. Trump said the military has been doing great things under Mr. Hegseth, including missions in Venezuela and Iran.
He also praised changes like getting rid of DEI programs and getting more people to join the military.
So the president and his team strongly disagree with what the newspaper reported.
President Donald Trump denied a Washington Post report that he confronted Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over weapons shortages, calling it 'completely FALSE.'
The report said Trump questioned Hegseth about long-range missile and air-defence interceptor stockpiles at a Cabinet meeting at Camp David.
Trump praised Hegseth on Truth Social, citing operations in Venezuela and Iran and reforms including removing DEI and boosting recruitment.
Trump accused the Washington Post of knowingly publishing false information and called its reporting 'treasonous.'
The White House and Pentagon rejected the report, saying the confrontation 'literally never happened.'
- Who
- President Donald Trump, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and The Washington Post, along with White House and Pentagon spokespeople.
- What
- Trump denied a report that he confronted Hegseth over declining US weapons stockpiles.
- Where
- Camp David, United States.
- When
- Following a Cabinet meeting at Camp David last week.
- Why
- To dismiss the report as false and reaffirm Trump's confidence in Hegseth.
Washington Post's Account
Trump Administration's Denial
Existence of the confrontation
Washington Post's Account
Citing people familiar with the matter, the Washington Post reported Trump privately confronted Hegseth at Camp David over weapons shortages and that Hegseth blamed Deputy Defence Secretary Stephen Feinberg.
Trump Administration's Denial
Trump, the White House and the Pentagon said the confrontation never happened; Trump said he is extremely happy with Hegseth and has the utmost confidence in him.
State of US weapons stockpiles
Washington Post's Account
The report said shortages of critical munitions were limiting America's military options in the Iran conflict.
Trump Administration's Denial
The Pentagon called the report inaccurate, and Trump described military operations under Hegseth as successful, saying the Iran campaign is going very well.
The Washington Post's credibility
Washington Post's Account
The Washington Post published the story based on people familiar with the matter, suggesting growing tensions between Trump and his defense secretary.
Trump Administration's Denial
Trump accused the newspaper of knowingly publishing false information and labeled its reporting 'treasonous.'
Key facts
- President
- Donald Trump
- Defense Secretary
- Pete Hegseth
- Reporting outlet
- The Washington Post
- Trump's response
- "Completely FALSE"
- Reported dispute
- Shortages of long-range missiles and air-defence interceptors
- White House statement
- Confrontation "literally never happened"
- Trump's platform
- Truth Social
- Context
- Iran conflict and Venezuela operation
Quotes
Donald Trump
President of the United States
“"I am extremely happy with the job that Pete Hegseth is doing," he wrote.”
NDTV
“"I really believe their fake 'reporting' is treasonous!"”
NDTV










