Defense Secretary and former Fox News host Pete Hegseth held an off-the-rails press conference on Iran during which he spent most of the time insulting members of the press for what he claimed was inaccurate and irresponsible reporting.In one exchange, he told the well-respected chief national security correspondent at the Pentagon for Fox News, Jennifer Griffin (his former colleague), that shes been about the worst as one who misrepresents the most intentionally. Related Out lawmakers grill Pete Hegseth over decision to remove Harvey Milks name from Navy ship Democrats have called the removal cruel, unnecessary. and a waste of valuable time and resources. Griffin stood up for herself in the heated exchange. Jennifer Griffin: Are you certain none of that highly enriched uranium was moved?Hegseth: Jennifer, you've been about the worst.Griffin: I was the first to describe the b-2 bombers, the refueling, the entire mission with great accuracy. So I, I take issue with that. pic.twitter.com/VPFUYX9YfY Acyn (@Acyn) June 26, 2025The briefing was filled with moments like this one. Hegseth treated every question as an accusation and was irate, defensive, and condescending as journalists inquired about the success of the presidents Iran strikes.Many mocked him for his hyperbole, his insults, his pandering praise to the president, and also for being the exact kind of emotional for which sexist people criticize women leaders.Hegseth: How many stories have been written about how hard it isI dont knowto fly a plane for 36 hours. Has MSNBC done that story? Has FOX? Have WE done the story? Its irresponsible pic.twitter.com/gNe1lC2MUT Acyn (@Acyn) June 26, 2025Hegseth: Because you the presscheer against Trump so hard. It's like in your DNA and in your blood to cheer against Trump because you want him not to be successful so bad. You have to cheer against the efficacy of these strikes. You have to hope maybe they weren't effective pic.twitter.com/zrDRynsPXJ Acyn (@Acyn) June 26, 2025instead of doing critical coverage, Hegseth urges reporters to "Wave an American flag. Be proud of what we accomplished." pic.twitter.com/nI4mSOpKCk Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 26, 2025Reporter: Why not acknowledge the female pilots? The early messages you sent out only congratulated the boys. pic.twitter.com/gxvagNbB31 Acyn (@Acyn) June 26, 2025Reporter: Why not acknowledge the female pilots? The early messages you sent out only congratulated the boys. pic.twitter.com/gxvagNbB31 Acyn (@Acyn) June 26, 2025Hegseth: What's really happening is you're undermining the success of incredible b-2 pilots and incredible f-35 pilots and incredible refuelers and incredible air defenders who accomplished their mission. How about we talk about how special America is? pic.twitter.com/36xVGYwZCr Acyn (@Acyn) June 26, 2025