Republicans mock Fox News for 'embarrassing' and fawning Hegseth birthday post

Fox News posted a glowing birthday tribute to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Saturday — complete with a saluting photo and celebratory graphics — and the mockery from conservatives was swift.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Secretary of War Pete Hegseth turns 46 today," Fox News wrote. "From serving in Iraq and Afghanistan to leading the Pentagon, Hegseth has spent decades advocating for America's warfighters and national defense."

Douglas Heye, a Republican strategist and former RNC communications director, didn't mince words in responding. "The next time I'm on Fox, I will call this out. Embarrassing." His post was reposted by Gregg Nunziata, the Republican lawyer who had already spent the day publicly criticizing Trump officials' conduct.

Jonah Goldberg, the conservative commentator and co-founder of The Dispatch who left Fox News over its 2020 election coverage, responded with a twist on the network's old slogan: "Fair, Balanced, and Unafraid. Wink."

Jay Nordlinger, a senior editor at National Review, was equally dry: "Is this the kind of thing a news network does? Manifestly (as Bill Buckley would say)."

Former Republican congressman Adam Kinzinger replied without a word — just a photo of President Trump appearing to sleep at a Cabinet meeting.

Democratic strategist Jesse Ferguson asked the obvious question: "This is from a news outlet?"

The next time I'm on Fox, I will call this out.

Embarrassing. https://t.co/VHI9N56Qka
— Douglas Heye (@DougHeye) June 7, 2026