• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered a room in the Pentagon to be refurbished as a makeup studio.
• The project reportedly cost several thousand dollars amidst budget cuts in the defense sector.
• Democratic leaders have mocked Hegseth over the findings, questioning the appropriateness of the upgrades.
• Hegseth has denied the ownership of the "makeup studio," calling the reports fake news.
• The Pentagon stated that upgrades to the briefing room are routine during administrative changes.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has faced significant criticism after reports emerged that he ordered a room at the Pentagon to be retrofitted as a makeup studio for high-ranking officials ahead of television appearances. According to various sources, the changes included new furnishings such as a mirror with makeup lighting, a director's chair, and a newly constructed countertop, costing several thousand dollars, despite the Pentagon's assertion that the modifications were routine and conservative in nature, utilizing existing materials from their inventory, according to CBS News and The Hill.

The renovations have been mocked by numerous Democrats on social media, with critics arguing that such expenses are frivolous in light of pressing budgetary concerns within the Department of Defense. Senator Chuck Schumer humorously noted that "his favorite makeup products at the Pentagon are concealer and coverup," while other lawmakers expressed disbelief over the installation of a makeup studio at a military hub, calling it a waste of taxpayer dollars, as reported by The Hill and HuffPost.

In response to the backlash, Hegseth has denied ordering the updates, labeling the reports as "totally fake" on social media and suggesting that they stem from a leftist agenda targeting him personally. He claimed that the media narrative would prefer a different form of installation—"tampon machines in every men’s bathroom" at the Department of Defense—indicating his irritation with the coverage, according to Salon and The Hill.

While the Defense Department spokesperson reiterated that upgrades to such spaces are customary during changes in administration, the incident has heightened scrutiny toward Hegseth amid ongoing investigations into his sharing of sensitive military information through unprotected messaging apps like Signal. This has raised concerns regarding operational security and proper conduct within the Department, as noted by The Hill and SCMP.