Hegseth denies ordering Pentagon 'makeup' studio

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday denied reporting that he ordered a makeup room to be crafted at the Pentagon after details emerged about a green room in the building being refurbished.

“1) Totally fake story. No ‘orders’ and no ‘makeup’ — but whatever. 2) We should have installed tampon machines in every men’s bathroom at [the Defense Department] instead — the leftist ‘news’ media would have loved that,” Hegseth wrote on the social platform X in response to CBS News's report on the refurbishment.

The outlet reported earlier Wednesday, quoting sources familiar, that the Defense chief ordered alterations for the addition of a makeup studio in a room alongside the Pentagon press briefing room.

“Most of the changes in the Green Room were furniture modifications — a director’s style chair, mirror, and a makeup light — all of which were added from existing inventories,” a Defense Department official told The Hill in an email Wednesday, discussing the refurbishment.

“A countertop was added and constructed internally by the Facilities Services Directorate, Washington Headquarters Services,” the official added.

They also stated that with the project, the Pentagon was “deliberately conservative and opted for several less expensive, on-hand materiel solutions that provide the Secretary and other VIPs the needed support and space for on-camera press engagements.”

The news comes as Hegseth faces mounting scrutiny over his usage of the Signal messaging app and controversy over his management of the department. The New York Times reported over the weekend that sensitive military plans were disclosed by the Defense secretary in a chat featuring his wife, brother and lawyer.

Hegseth defended his actions, saying the information he shared was "unclassified" and "informal." He made a similar argument after a separate Signal chat incident involving several top Trump administration officials inadvertently included a top journalist on the thread.

The Hill has reached out to CBS News for comment.