Officials in the Trump administration have complained that their country’s news media is reporting the deaths of US soldiers in the war against Iran too prominently in, as they see it, an effort to “make the President look bad”.
Six Americans have been killed so far in Iran’s retaliation against the attacks from Israel and the United States, all of them in the same incident, which saw an “unmanned aircraft system” evade air defences and strike a US command centre in Kuwait.
Four of the dead have been identified: Captian Cody Khork, 35, Sergeant Noah Tietjens, 42, Sergeant Nicole Amor, 39, and Sergeant Declan Coady, 20.
Speaking to reporters at the Pentagon today, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth took issue with the media for making their deaths “front page news” instead of focusing more on America’s successes in the war.
Mr Hegseth addressing reporters today. Picture: Konstantin Toropin/AP
“This is what the fake news misses. We’ve taken control of Iran’s airspace and waterways without boots on the ground. We control their fate,” Mr Hegseth said.
“But when a few drones get through, or tragic things happen, it’s front page news. I get it, the press only wants to make the President look bad. But try for once to report reality.
“The terms of this war will be set by us at every step.”
Mr Hegseth was joined, at his briefing, by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Air Force General Dan Caine.
General Caine began his remarks by acknowledging the slain soldiers.
“First, it is with profound sadness and gratitude that I share the names of four of our six fallen heroes,” he said.
“To the families of our fallen: we grieve with you today, and we look forward to welcoming your family members home.
“Out of respect for the other families, we’ll withhold their names until the notification of their next of kin is complete.
“We will never forget your sacrifice. Our nation stands with you, and we are grateful.”
General Caine. Picture: Alex Wong/Getty Images/AFP
The issue came up again during White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt’s media briefing later in the day. She clashed, in particular, with CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins.
“Given what Secretary Hegseth said this morning, is it the position of this administration that the press should not prominently cover the deaths of US servicemembers?” Ms Collins asked.
“No, it’s the position of this administration that the press in this room, and the press across the country, should accurately report on the success of Operation Epic Fury and the damage it is doing to the rogue Iranian regime,” Ms Leavitt replied.
“Pete Hegseth was complaining that it was front page news, about these six servicemembers that were killed,” Ms Collins put to her.
“That’s not what the Secretary said, Kaitlan, and that’s not what the Secretary meant, and you know it. You know you’re being disingenuous,” Ms Leavitt said.
Ms Collins then read out Mr Hegseth’s quote, verbatim.
“As you know, we cover the deaths of US servicemembers under every president,” she said.
CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins clashed with the Press Secretary.
“The press does only want to make the President look bad. That’s a fact,” Ms Leavitt shot back, sparking grumbles of discontent in the room.
“No, listen to me. Especially you, and especially CNN,” she continued.
“And the Secretary of Defence cares deeply about our war fighters and our men and women in uniform. He travels all across this country to meet with them.”
“I don’t think covering troop deaths is trying to make him look bad,” Ms Collins said.
“If you’re trying to argue, right now, that CNN’s overwhelming coverage is not negative of Trump, I think the American people would tend to disagree,” said Ms Leavitt.
“And your ratings would tend to disagree with that as well.”
She ended the event a few moments later.
Ms Leavitt today. Picture: Alex Brandon/AP
A few other issues of note came up during her briefing.
Ms Leavitt was asked whether US forces were responsible for the bombing of a primary school in Iran, which killed 175 people. She said the Pentagon was investigating.
“Not that we know of. And the Department of War is investigating this matter,” she said.
“I would just tell you, very strongly, the United States of America does not target civilians, unlike the Iranian regime.
“I would caution you from pointing the finger at the United States of America when it comes to targeting civilians, because that’s not something that these armed forces do.
“Many people in this room have fallen for propaganda.”
Ms Leavitt also claimed that Spain, which earned Donald Trump’s ire by refusing to cooperate with the US war effort, had changed its mind.
“With respect to Spain, I think they heard the President’s message yesterday loud and clear. And it’s my understanding, over the past several hours, they have agreed to cooperate with the US military. And so I know the US military is coordinating with their counterparts in Spain,” she said.
Spain later issued a statement clarifying that its position “has not changed one iota”.
“It is not true. We categorically deny any change. Spain’s position has not changed,” the country’s government said.
And once again seeking to clear up the reason Mr Trump launched the war in the first place, Ms Leavitt said he’d “had a good feeling that the Iranian regime was going to strike US assets and our personnel in the region”.
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