Pete Hegseth snarls at reporters before taking one question at press conference

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth used a Thursday morning press conference, ostensibly planned to update information on the Iran attack, to harangue and yell at reporters for almost 15 minutes.

The moment he began to speak at the lectern, the former Fox New personality snarled at reporters while singling out CNN, NBC and his former employer for "fake news" while attempting to downplay a leak that the attack was not the total "obliteration" that Donald Trump continues to insist it was.

After applauding Donald Trump's NATO meeting, Hegseth went on the attack.

"I hope with all the ink spilled, all of your outlets find the time to properly recognize this historic change in continental security that other presidents tried to do, other presidents talked about," he ranted. "President Trump accomplished it; it's a huge deal. I see we're here this morning because in hunting for scandals all the time in trying to find wedges and and spin stories, this press corps and the press corps miss historic moments."

Heating up, he added, "Let me read the bottom line here. President Trump directed the most complex and secretive military operation in history and it was a resounding success resulting in a cease fire agreement and the end of the 12-day war. There's been a lot of discussion about what happened and what didn't happen. Step back for a second. Because of decisive military action, President Trump created the conditions to end the war decimating, choose your word, obliterating, destroying Iran's nuclear capabilities."

"I want to read some of the assessments that have been provided, because, whether it's fake news CNN, MSNBC or the New York Times, there's been fawning coverage of a preliminary assessment. I have had a chance to read it all," he continued.

As he was concluding, he accused, "Before I pass it to the chairman, because you and I, I mean specifically you, the press, specifically you, the press corps, because you cheer 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. Maybe the way the Trump administration is representing them isn't true. So let's take half-truths, spun information, leaked information, and then spin it. Spin it in every way we can to try to cause doubt and manipulate the mind, the public mind, over whether or not our brave pilots were successful."

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