Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, joined by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Dan Caine, held a press briefing at the Pentagon on Thursday and had the legacy media in his sites as he blasted them for their "dishonest" reporting on Operation Epic Fury. "A dishonest and anti-Trump press will stop at nothing to downplay the progress, amplify every cost, and call into question every step," Hegseth said.
Taking his message directly to the American people, Hegseth railed against the narrative being pushed by many in the media that "just 19 days into this conflict, that we are somehow spinning toward an endless abyss, or a ‘forever war,’ or a quagmire." Nothing could be further from the truth, he said, noting that Operation Epic Fury is "different."
"Sadly," he concluded, "TDS is in [the media's] DNA."
.@SECWAR “This media here—not all of it, but much of it—wants you to think, just 19 days into this conflict, that we are somehow spinning toward an endless abyss, or a ‘forever war,’ or a quagmire.
— DOW Rapid Response (@DOWResponse) March 19, 2026
NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH.
Hear it from me, one of hundreds of… pic.twitter.com/yB3GEAc2X5
.@SECWAR “This media here—not all of it, but much of it—wants you to think, just 19 days into this conflict, that we are somehow spinning toward an endless abyss, or a ‘forever war,’ or a quagmire.
NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH.
Hear it from me, one of hundreds of thousands who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan, who watched foolish politicians like Bush, Obama, and Biden squander American credibility, treasure, and troops—this is NOT those wars. President Trump knows better.
Epic Fury IS DIFFERENT.”
Hegseth revealed that the United States had carried out strikes on 7,000 targets in Iran since the joint military operation with Israel began on February 28. He also said the U.S. has sunk over 120 Iranian naval vessels – including the elimination of the regime's 11 submarines – resulting in their surface fleet being "no longer a factor." Additionally, he indicated Thursday would see the largest strike package yet unleashed on Iran.
“Today, will be the largest strike package yet, just like yesterday was,” he said. “Our capabilities continue to build, Iran’s continue to degrade. We’re hunting and striking. Death and destruction from above.”
Gen. Caine said the U.S. military struck underground storage facilities with 5,000-pound penetrator bombs, targeting coastal defense cruise weapons and other support gear. He also said American forces are “penetrating deeper into Iranian airspace to hunt and kill.”
SEE ALSO: We Are Watching a New Rendering Taking Place in the Media – Have the News Outlets Given Up? (VIP)
Trump Calls Reluctant Allies' Bluff on the Strait, Gets Big Response From NATO Chief
Hegseth addressed the issue of the $200 billion funding package being requested by the Pentagon to fund Operation Epic Fury, saying, "Obviously, it takes, it takes money to kill bad guys."
"As far as $200 billion I think that number could move. Obviously, it takes, it takes money to kill bad guys. So we're going back to Congress and our folks there to ensure that we're properly funded for what's been done, for what we may have to do in the future, ensure that our ammunition and everything's refilled, and not just refilled, but above and beyond," Hegseth said.
Meanwhile, CBS News' Margaret Brennan is catching a ton of heat on social media right now for her condescending takeaway from Thursday morning's presser: Hegseth – gasp! – encouraged Americans to hit their knees and pray for our troops.
The Secretary of Defense tells the American public to pray for our troops on bended knee and invoke Jesus' name....
— Margaret Brennan (@margbrennan) March 19, 2026
One user clapped back, "If this seems even mildly controversial, it would legitimately blow your mind to read what the men who founded our nation did, said, and prayed in the name of Jesus Christ while governing."
Editor's Note: For decades, former presidents have been all talk and no action. Now, Donald Trump is eliminating the threat from Iran once and for all.
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