In a move that has left many scratching their heads (and checking their tax returns), Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has reportedly transformed a room adjacent to the Pentagon press briefing area into a makeup studio. The renovation, costing several thousand dollars, comes at a time when the administration is advocating for budget cuts across various departments.

The studio, equipped with a director’s chair and a mirror surrounded by makeup lights, is intended for senior leaders and VIPs to prepare for television appearances. While the Pentagon has defended the upgrade as a routine change, critics argue that it sends the wrong message during a period of fiscal restraint.

One source said that the room was originally sparsely furnished with a table, chairs, a mirror on the back of the door, a TV, and photos of former defense secretaries on the wall.

An in-house construction crew then came in and removed everything, replacing the previous furniture with a new director’s chair and a large mirror with makeup lights, another source said. The improvements, which reportedly cost thousands of dollars, came at a time when the administration was looking to cut costs, resulting in thousands of federal workers losing their jobs and major budget cuts across many programs and departments.

Hegseth himself has played an important role in these cuts, signing a memo in March titled “Continuing Elimination of Wasteful Spending at the Department of Defense,” which terminated over $580 million in “wasteful spending” on the department’s contracts and grants.

In a video posted to X, he said how these contracts and grants were “not a good use of taxpayer dollars.”

“Ultimately that’s who funds us, and we owe you transparency and making sure we’re using it well,” he added.

Another round of @DOGE findings here at the Department of Defense. pic.twitter.com/PSrHn8Zjlq

— Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (@SecDef) March 20, 2025

Former Fox News and CBS News producer Tami Radabaugh, who is currently the deputy assistant to the secretary for strategic engagement, was the one to suggest these renovations.

According to a source, she got the go-ahead from Hegseth’s wife, Jennifer, and the chief Pentagon spokesman, Sean Parnell.

This development adds to the growing list of controversies surrounding Hegseth’s tenure. Recently, he faced scrutiny for allegedly sharing sensitive military information via private messaging apps, including with individuals lacking security clearances. Additionally, internal conflicts within the Pentagon have led to a series of high-profile resignations and firings, raising concerns about leadership stability.

Despite these issues, Donald Trump has continued to support Hegseth, emphasizing loyalty and alignment with his administration’s goals. However, with mounting criticism and ongoing investigations, the future of Hegseth’s position remains uncertain.

As the Pentagon navigates these challenges, the addition of a makeup studio serves as a peculiar symbol of the current administration’s priorities, blending media readiness with military leadership in an unprecedented manner.

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