Pete Hegseth attacks Jennifer Griffin over Iran strikes reporting

In the United States, during a Pentagon news conference on June 26, 2025, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced scrutiny over his response to questions posed by his former Fox News colleague Jennifer Griffin. The exchange was centered around the recent U.S. airstrikes on Iran and whether any highly enriched uranium had been moved from its known location prior to these military actions. Griffin, who serves as Fox's chief national security correspondent, inquired about the certainty regarding the storage of Iran's uranium resources at a specific nuclear bunker targeted by the U.S. airstrikes. Hegseth, reflecting a defensive stance, accused Griffin of being “the worst” in terms of reporting accuracy and intentionally misrepresenting President Donald Trump's statements regarding the effectiveness of the bombings. He made these comments in front of media personnel, leading to a quick backlash on social media platforms, where critics labeled his comments as unprofessional and embarrassing. Griffin retaliated gracefully by asserting her professionalism and was recognized for her accuracy in reporting on military operations, referencing her previous work describing the U.S. airstrike missions. The heated exchange garnered significant attention, especially since Hegseth's comments appeared to undermine journalistic integrity at a time when accurate reporting is crucial in understanding the implications of military actions. Analysts and commentators, including fellow Fox analyst Brit Hume, voiced concern regarding Hegseth's remarks. Hume praised Griffin's professionalism while criticizing the media's portrayal of military assessments, particularly regarding initial evaluations of the Bombing's effectiveness on Iran's nuclear capabilities. As the incident unfolded, the White House also took notice, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announcing an investigation into the source of leaks concerning intelligence reports around the strikes. This highlights the ongoing friction between the Trump administration and several media outlets that have reported critically on their actions. CNN, for instance, received backlash from Hegseth and others for its coverage that contradicted Trump's narrative of “total obliteration” against Iran’s nuclear program. The scenario illustrates a disturbing trend where politicians are increasingly quick to lash out at the media when reports don’t conform to their narratives, raising concerns about the veracity and independence of journalistic endeavors in the current political climate.