Comedian Bill Maher took aim at Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on Friday night, comparing him to one of the darkest days in American history. During his “New Rule” segment on HBO, Maher called Hegseth “the worst thing to hit the Pentagon since Flight 77,” referencing the September 11 terrorist attack.
Maher’s comments centered on reports alleging Hegseth’s use of Signal messaging apps to discuss sensitive military operations. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz had mistakenly included The Atlantic‘s editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, in a private Signal group where Yemen strike plans were discussed. Subsequent reporting claimed that Hegseth created another Signal group involving his wife and brother.
Despite the media firestorm, the Trump White House defended Hegseth. An Associated Press report noted that the administration dismissed concerns over the messaging groups, pointing instead to leaks from disgruntled bureaucrats. President Donald Trump, speaking to reporters, called the controversy “fake news” and stood by Hegseth, emphasizing the Defense Secretary’s mission to reform a Pentagon plagued by entrenched bureaucracy.
“It’s just fake news. They just bring up stories,” President Trump said. “He was put there to get rid of a lot of bad people, and that’s what he’s doing.”
In a Fox News interview, Hegseth responded to the accusations by reaffirming his loyalty to President Trump’s mission. He stated that critics were trying to derail efforts to restore a warfighting focus at the Pentagon. Hegseth emphasized that America’s enemies were now “on notice” and that the Defense Department’s priorities had shifted back to strengthening the nation’s military might.
The controversy has not deterred Hegseth from carrying out President Trump’s agenda, as he continues efforts to purge inefficiency and reinforce warfighter-first leadership at the Pentagon.
