A new report has revealed that Pete Hegseth, the former Fox News personality and current senior Pentagon advisor, has had a private makeup vanity room installed inside the Pentagon to prepare for his frequent media appearances, at a cost to taxpayers that’s drawing criticism.
According to internal Defense Department documents obtained by a congressional oversight committee, the custom-designed vanity room—complete with Hollywood-style lighting, a reclining chair, and a climate-controlled wardrobe cabinet—came with a price tag of approximately $37,800.
The expense includes $12,500 for custom furniture, $6,200 for lighting and electrical work, and $3,000 for premium makeup products and application tools. The remaining budget was reportedly allocated to security modifications and “aesthetic enhancements” such as walnut paneling and a soundproof door.
A Pentagon spokesperson confirmed the existence of the room but defended the cost, calling it “a modest and functional workspace upgrade” to support Hegseth’s role as a public liaison. “Mr. Hegseth frequently represents the Department in high-profile interviews and briefings,” the spokesperson said. “This space ensures he is camera-ready while maintaining the professionalism expected from Pentagon officials.”
But critics were quick to slam the move as unnecessary and out of touch.
“This isn’t Hollywood—it’s the Department of Defense,” said Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO), a member of the House Armed Services Committee. “If taxpayer dollars are being used for glam squads and vanity mirrors during a time of global crisis, someone needs to answer for that.”
Hegseth, a vocal supporter of military tradition and discipline, addressed the controversy on social media with a mix of sarcasm and defiance. “If looking good while defending America is a crime, I plead guilty,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter, alongside a photo of himself adjusting his tie in what appeared to be the newly installed vanity mirror.
The news has sparked debate across political circles and military forums, with some questioning the costs when Trump and his administration say they’re trying to bring down government spending.