Hegseth GETS EXPOSED under CROSS-EXAM at Senate Hearing

[0:00] Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was just ripped to shreds at a Senate hearing. [0:05] He was at the Senate testifying under oath, demanding $1.5 trillion more for the catastrophic [0:12] war in Iran. [0:14] He wanted close to $90 billion urgently, he said, that they needed immediately. [0:20] And then he says the biggest threat to the United States of America is if we don't urgently [0:25] get $1.5 trillion. [0:27] Let me show you as one by one, the senators ripped him. [0:32] Even a MAGA Republican senator exposed that, yes, indeed, Hegseth is aware that China and [0:39] Russia are helping Iran. [0:41] But Hegseth, who previously kind of denied that, said, well, I can't really talk about this [0:46] publicly. [0:46] First, let me show you Hegseth storming out of the Senate hearing. [0:51] The Midas Touch Network was there to try to ask him about his war crimes, about his future [0:56] at The Hague, but he walked away from our reporters. [0:59] Let's play this clip. [1:01] Yeah, we're not moving. [1:03] Secretary, Jacob from TMZ, one question, and that is it. [1:08] How are you going to end this war? [1:10] Secretary, what's your message to the 18 dead military families? [1:14] Are Iran's capabilities too sophisticated to protect U.S. forces? [1:17] Now, let's get inside the hearing where Democratic Senator John Ossoff went through all of Hegseth's [1:25] statements. [1:26] On day eight, you asked this. [1:28] On day 14, you said this. [1:30] On day 20, you said this. [1:32] So what is it, Hegseth? [1:33] What is it? [1:34] On day 14, you stated the following. [1:37] Play this clip. [1:37] On day 14 of this conflict, Mr. Secretary, day 14, nearly five months ago, you stated [1:44] that Iran's military had been, quote, destroyed and, quote, made combat ineffective. [1:49] That was on day 14 of the war. [1:51] Was that an accurate statement? [1:54] They didn't have a navy any longer. [1:56] It was completely sunk. [1:57] Their missiles were buried underneath a lot of their underground facilities and their [2:00] defense industrial base has been almost completely destroyed. [2:03] So as far as a military assessment of Iran's capabilities, it doesn't, didn't mean by any [2:08] stretch of the imagination, absolute zero. [2:11] But they're considered the lowest level. [2:12] Mr. Secretary, you stated that on day 14 of this conflict, in the second week of the [2:16] conflict, you stated that Iran's military had been, quote, destroyed and, quote, made combat [2:23] ineffective. [2:24] Was that an accurate statement? [2:26] Yes or no? [2:27] Iran's ability to challenge the United States of America at the level at which we're capable [2:31] of. [2:31] That's not what I asked you, Mr. Secretary. [2:33] Secretary, you said on day 14, Iran's military had been, quote, destroyed and, quote, made [2:39] combat ineffective. [2:40] Yes or no? [2:41] Was that an accurate statement? [2:44] What the American military has done to the Iranian military is a historic military defeat. [2:49] Will you answer the question, under oath? [2:49] And they're ineffective in that context. [2:51] Then we heard from Democratic Senator Reid, who's like, do you realize how embarrassing [2:57] it is that you keep on trying to blame the Biden administration for everything? [3:01] Then Hegseth tries to, like, yell at the senator. [3:05] And then Senator Reid is like, you think that Trump should be praised for starting a war without [3:11] authority? [3:12] And now our troops are getting killed and Iran controls the Strait of Ramuz? [3:16] You want Trump to be praised for that? [3:19] Here, play this clip. [3:19] We're completely aware that the Strait of Ramuz could be closed. [3:23] And obviously sinking their ships has not affected their ability to effectively close the [3:29] Strait. [3:29] Did you? [3:30] We had U.S. boats that surrendered to Iranian ships under the Biden administration. [3:35] So their Navy was effective in... [3:36] Listen, we're talking about the war you started. [3:39] Not a situation in which oil was flowing freely. [3:44] There was no conflict. [3:45] We weren't losing personnel as a result of Iranian actions. [3:49] So your fallback to the Biden administration is just a very, very obvious excuse for what [4:00] I think is probably, as you described so often, gross negligence. [4:03] You did not fully inform the president that you would be in a situation where the Strait [4:09] Ramuz could be effectively closed, oil prices could surge, and effectively the Iranians [4:16] could maintain their ability to strike back as they are right now. [4:20] They just killed some of my service men's last weekend. [4:24] This battlefield and all the dynamics of it, of which the chairman and I are responsible [4:28] for ensuring the president understands every branch and sequel of what could happen, and [4:32] we did, the fact that those contingencies all were part of the possibility, and we understood [4:37] that, is all the more reason why President Trump deserves the kind of praise he should [4:41] get for undertaking this effort, having the courage to ensure that crazy Islamists can't [4:46] have a nuclear weapon to hold us at issue. [4:49] And he's been willing to stay committed to that, regardless of the challenges... [4:52] Excuse me. [4:52] So he should be praised. [4:54] He should be praised for shouting a war without authority, creating a situation in which [5:00] the world economy is suffering tremendously. [5:02] We have to ask extra money for our farmers, and we have no outcome, at least no real realistic [5:11] outcome in sight yet. [5:12] Let me switch to... [5:13] More cross-examination right here from Senator Ossoff, who said, okay, let's go back to the [5:18] very beginning, March 8th. [5:21] Here's what you said, response. [5:23] Play this clip. [5:24] You said, Iran will never have a nuclear weapon to threaten the United States of America. [5:27] You stated on March 8th, day 9 of the war on 60 Minutes, you assured the American people [5:32] of Iranian surrender. [5:33] Does that remain your prediction? [5:35] Ultimately, Iran will never have a nuclear weapon to threaten the United States of America. [5:41] That has been the objective, and it remains so. [5:44] So just to review, you will not answer whether your statement made on the 14th day of the war that [5:50] Iran's military had been, quote, destroyed and made combat ineffective was a truthful [5:55] statement to the American people as you sit here and ask for tens of billions more for [5:59] the conflict. [6:00] The senator's time has... [6:01] ...had a historic and effective military campaign against the largest state sponsor of [6:05] terrorism... [6:06] Won't answer the question. [6:07] Senator Peters. [6:08] I like that Senator Ossoff asks these basic questions, short, using Hegsitt's words, [6:15] you said that we achieved every single objective. [6:18] Is that an accurate statement when you said we achieved every objective four months ago? [6:25] Perfectly framed question. [6:26] And then I want you to watch Hegsitt squirm play this clip. [6:30] ...before not even close. [6:31] It doesn't mean it doesn't have capabilities. [6:33] Mr. Secretary, you stated we had, quote, achieved every single objective. [6:38] Was that an accurate statement four months ago? [6:41] The main objective of this was to ensure that Iran never gets a nuclear weapon. [6:44] Their main sites were obliterated. [6:46] We're watching over them and we're holding that issue. [6:48] If they don't give them up at the table, there's other ways we can take it away. [6:51] Early in the conflict on day three, Mr. Secretary. [6:54] Then we heard from Democratic Senator Durbin, who said, so I'm trying to understand this. [7:00] You want this supplemental funding on an emergency basis of what, close to $90 billion immediately, [7:07] $87.6 billion. [7:09] But you still have $75 billion in unobligated funding. [7:14] It means you have it set aside for situations like this. [7:18] So what are you doing with that? [7:20] Oh, Biden was so bad that we need the money. [7:23] Huh? [7:24] That's what you're blaming it on? [7:26] How about you don't bankrupt the Defense Department? [7:29] Last year you had $1.1 trillion. [7:32] You still have $75 billion left. [7:36] You claim, you know that Hegseth is lying here, that the war cost $37.5 billion. [7:43] That's clearly not what it is. [7:45] That is a complete lie in my opinion. [7:48] So if it only costs $37.5 billion, you've got $75. [7:51] What are you doing? [7:52] Here, play this clip. [7:53] Mr. Secretary, I'd like to ask you to help me reconcile some numbers. [7:58] It's my understanding that this whole supplemental funding request is $87.6 billion, and most [8:05] of the funding, $67 billion, is for the Department of Defense. [8:10] Yet we are told the Department of Defense still has $75 billion in unobligated funding from [8:15] last year's reconciliation package. [8:18] Is that true? [8:20] Roughly correct numbers, yes. [8:22] So you left some change on the dresser before you prepared to come for this hearing. [8:28] What's going to happen to that $75 billion? [8:30] Well, that $75 billion is, there's plans and designs on that, part of the rebuild of our [8:35] military, which had to be undertaken. [8:36] And so one big, beautiful bill gave us specific avenues, but I'd have to get you the exact numbers [8:41] of what that is left to be allocated. [8:42] Does it have to do with the war in Iran? [8:44] No, this is rebuilding our military from what was not funded in the past under the Biden administration. [8:49] So that's, these are, this is from 2026. [8:52] One big, beautiful bill, which helped move the president's priorities like Golden Dome [8:56] for America, move away from all the woke priorities of what the Biden administration was pursuing, [9:00] give us a chance to start cutting these deals on munitions. [9:03] All the things that we, he, the president wanted us to focus on, shipbuilding, hypersonics. [9:08] I mean, the Biden administration ignored hypersonics. [9:10] They just decided to pretend like that technology didn't exist and we shouldn't invest in it. [9:14] There are things, I don't know what Lloyd Austin did for four years. [9:17] I really don't. [9:18] I'm sure. [9:19] The amount of neglect, the amount of stale thinking and bureaucracy, it was staggering [9:24] when we took over. [9:25] So one big, beautiful bill gave us a chance to get caught back up. [9:28] Now let me show you where Hegseth said that it only cost, uh, you know, he says, uh, 37.5 [9:34] billions actually, or a number like that. [9:36] Play this clip. [9:37] Secretary, it's my turn to ask questions. [9:39] I've been listening patiently while you made your presentation. [9:43] You estimated at one point that the cost of the war in Iran was $29 billion, but then [9:50] added a caveat that there was a replacement of munitions, for example. [9:54] Do you have a new estimate about what the war has cost us so far in this, the fifth month [9:58] of the first year of this war in Iran? [10:01] Uh, Senator, the estimate we have as of today is 37.5 billion. [10:07] And is the current activity which we have been told about the exchange of fire back and [10:11] forth in Iran an indication that that number is going to go up in the months ahead? [10:17] Some of that number captures additional O&M, mill pay, and other that would be anticipated [10:21] through the fiscal year. [10:23] So some of that anticipates what costs would be going out in the future as well. [10:26] So the new number you've given me is what? [10:27] A 37.5 billion. [10:31] Senator. [10:32] And that represents the cost of the war through what period of time? [10:36] Through now for certain aspects of it, uh, but also mill pay, O&M, other anticipated [10:41] costs through September 30th. [10:43] Senator. [10:44] And then, uh, Pete Hegseth goes on to say, we need $1.5 trillion urgently, urgently. [10:49] Here, play this clip. [10:50] You know what that means, that that means $1.5 trillion, given the world that we live [10:56] in and the disaster of what the Biden administration budgets gave us, not funding this department [11:01] at $1.5 trillion, I believe is the greatest threat that our nation faces. [11:04] Either we invest in our warriors at this moment of step change on the battlefield and growing [11:11] threats, or this is all just talk. [11:15] Show you over here next, you had Senator Murray cross-examining Hegseth right here. [11:21] And, uh, she goes, you said to Iran that it would be completely against international [11:28] law for them to charge tolls in the Strait of Hormuz. [11:32] But then Donald Trump said that he wants to charge tolls in the Strait of Hormuz. [11:36] Here, play this clip. [11:37] You also said at that same press conference, and I'm going to quote you, um, you urged Iran [11:44] to quote, let innocent ships pass freely. [11:46] These international waters belong to all nations, not to Iran to tax, toll, or control. [11:52] Last week, President Trump said the U.S. would charge a 20% toll to each ship to pass through [11:57] the state. [11:58] So based on your opposition to tolls, did you talk to the president out of that idea, [12:03] or did someone else? [12:06] Iran's not charging tolls, and they're shooting at ships right now. [12:10] But Trump said that he wanted to charge a 20% toll. [12:15] We have a blockade right now of all Iranian ships and Iranian ports, and it's effective. [12:20] My time is out. [12:21] Then there were protesters throughout this who were protesting Hegseth. [12:26] I'll show you this clip right here. [12:27] Base budget request, $1.5 trillion. [12:31] Mr. Secretary, please suspend until the order is restored in the hearing room. [12:45] We will begin the timing clock since you've been interrupted twice. [12:56] More from Senator Murray, who says, okay, well, on May 5th, you claim that Iran doesn't control [13:02] the straight. [13:03] And you said that there was a quote powerful red, white, and blue dome over the straight. [13:09] So if that was true, a red, white, and blue dome over the straight of Hormuz, how did Iran [13:16] shrink ship traffic during that period of time? [13:21] And how are they continuing to shrink ship traffic at their own whim? [13:27] The red, white, and blue dome over the straight is saving everybody. [13:32] I mean, all this regime does is lie about everything. [13:34] Play this clip. [13:35] Well, let me move on. [13:37] On May 5th, you claimed that Iran doesn't control the straight. [13:40] And you said that there was a quote powerful red, white, and blue dome over the straight. [13:45] If that was true, how did Iran shrink ship traffic in the straight to trickle to a trickle [13:50] again last week? [13:52] We pushed almost, I believe, between 400 and 500 million bearers of oil under the nose [13:57] of Iran over the course of Project Freedom, which went underground, which I acknowledged [14:01] after we did so covertly because it was more effective to do so quietly than to do so publicly. [14:06] So we've been in control of moving traffic through there for quite some time. [14:10] Will they retain the ability to recklessly shoot at commercial shipping? [14:13] And that's what happened. [14:14] We had a safe fire, and then they shot at commercial shipping recklessly. [14:18] Then when Senator Peters was cross-examining Hegsif, Hegsif's response was, sir, you have [14:23] Trump derangement syndrome, sir. [14:25] You have Trump derangement syndrome. [14:27] Play this clip. [14:28] Terry Hegsif, did you, if you listened to my comments, you told, you would have heard [14:31] me say how amazing our warfighters are. [14:33] I heard failure. [14:34] The word hurt. [14:35] I heard exactly what you said. [14:36] I will tell you how I use the word failure because I use the word failure to their leaders. [14:40] You, sir, are the failure. [14:42] Not the men and women who are on that front line. [14:45] Not the men and women who hold up their honor with distinction. [14:50] But if there's a lack of a winning strategy, they're in harm's way. [14:53] Their leaders have failed them. [14:55] And that's what's happening. [14:56] We have political leadership. [14:58] You. [14:59] You don't have a strategy. [15:00] You don't have a long-term plan to actually win this war. [15:03] Win the war. [15:04] The men and women are going to be able to do it, but they need to have leadership. [15:06] Of course we have leadership. [15:07] When will you show leadership? [15:08] Of course we have leadership. [15:09] When will you show leadership? [15:10] Why don't you show some leadership and stand up for your fellow Democrats who won't fund the troops, [15:13] who stand and play partisan politics while you don't give us the money? [15:16] You want to stand up here and talk about the troops? [15:18] You won't show any political courage to actually fund our department because you have Trump [15:23] derangement syndrome and can't actually commit to anything meaningful. [15:26] So I put this on you, Senator. [15:28] Senator Hegshoff, you have trillions. [15:30] You have over a trillion dollars. [15:32] You're asking for one and a half trillion dollars. [15:34] It's not a question of money. [15:36] It's a question of leadership and understanding what it takes to actually win. [15:41] The cowardice of Democrats who won't fund the troops. [15:44] Senator's time. [15:47] Now, let me show you a moment, too, that deserves more attention, where you have the MAGA Republican [15:52] senator from North Dakota, Senator Hovind. [15:55] I mean, some people could say this guy's a little more moderate, but he aids in a bench [15:59] Trump in my view. [16:00] Are Russia and China helping Iran? [16:02] And Hegseth admits it. [16:03] Here, play this clip. [16:05] Important and will make a big difference for our farmers right now. [16:07] So thank you for that, Secretary Hegseth. [16:13] Are Russia and China helping Iran? [16:18] And if so, how? [16:19] Well, Senator, as the chairman alluded to, there's definitely adversary alignment attempts [16:26] to do so. [16:28] And there are many ways that we deter that, some of which are and the depth and extent of [16:33] it ought to remain classified and it should. [16:36] But there are ways in which both of those countries are limiting at different levels, enabling [16:43] some of the things Iran is doing. [16:44] Yes. [16:47] General Kane, would you like to add? [16:48] Sir, I'd rather not opine on the specifics because that would divulge what we know. [16:56] And I never want the adversary to know what I know. [17:01] I just want to know it. [17:02] And hopefully we'll get a chance to do that in the SCIF. [17:08] More clips over here. [17:11] This Senator Ossoff, again, going through the dates. [17:13] So then after we gave you the timeline that we're saying March 8th, you did this 14 days [17:20] in, you said this, then you declared victory. [17:23] You think this is this is victory. [17:25] You declared mission accomplished. [17:27] Here play this clip. [17:28] And they're ineffective in that context. [17:32] Three weeks later, you declared victory. [17:35] That was now nearly four months ago. [17:39] Three weeks after you'd already said Iran's military was destroyed and combat ineffective. [17:44] You said, quote, Operation Epic Fury was a historic and overwhelming victory. [17:49] You said Iran's military had been rendered, quote, combat ineffective for years to come. [17:55] And you stated we had, quote, achieved every single objective were those accurate statements. [18:02] It certainly was on behalf of the men and women in uniform, a historic military victory [18:05] over Iran. [18:06] Had Iran's military been rendered, quote, combat ineffective for years to come. [18:11] That was a statement that you made four months ago. [18:13] They had 160 naval vessels in the Blue Water Navy. [18:15] You need to answer the questions, Mr. Secretary. [18:17] And they're gone. [18:17] Their air force is completely combat ineffective. [18:20] You said four months ago. [18:21] Then you have Senator Gillibrand saying, I want to get this straight. [18:25] Were the nuclear facilities obliterated or not? [18:27] Let's play it. [18:28] Secretary Heggseth. [18:29] There's no reason to be rude. [18:30] You are asking for unlimited money for bombs when people can't feed their families. [18:36] And I don't know how this administration intends to defend those decisions to the American [18:40] people. [18:41] Not unlimited bombs, Senator. [18:43] I'm asking for the right bombs at the right time to ensure we can deter our adversaries [18:47] into the future. [18:48] And that's why this is a generational investment. [18:50] And it was the previous administration that didn't fund this department. [18:54] The reason why they are so upset with you and this administration is because the words [18:59] you have used in the past don't add up. [19:02] About Iran specifically, you said that we had obliterated, quote, unquote, Iran's ability [19:08] to create nuclear weapons. [19:09] The president made the same claim, yet eight months later in February of 2026, the president [19:14] launched an act of war claiming Iran was within two weeks of having a weapon. [19:19] So when you say two very different things, the American people don't know who to believe [19:23] or what to believe. [19:25] They just know they can't afford their health care. [19:27] They can't afford their food. [19:28] They can't afford housing. [19:30] And our farmers are continuing to suffer. [19:32] So, which is true. [19:34] Was it obliterated or wasn't it? [19:36] What's the status? [19:38] The nuclear sites under Midnight Hammer were obliterated. [19:41] But Iranians foolishly continued to attempt to pursue nuclear capabilities, which is why [19:46] we destroyed their defense industrial base and so many of the other capabilities to ensure [19:50] they can't get to a nuclear weapon. [19:52] See, we're staying laser focused on the objective. [19:54] And you're trying to make campaign commercials. [19:56] No, we're not. [19:56] And that's fine. [19:57] So listen to this. [19:58] More from Senator Gillibrand right here. [20:00] Let's play it. [20:01] Unpopular and unauthorized war abroad is a higher priority to this administration than [20:07] their ability to feed their families and provide health care to their loved ones who are sick. [20:14] Well, Senator, you're talking about political tradeoffs. [20:16] And our job is to deliver for the United States military and the president of the United States. [20:20] And we look at the cost of a nuclear Iran, and we want to prevent that for future generations. [20:25] And that requires funding and supplementals and this budget and next generation capabilities. [20:30] And that's why we're here today to request some of that to ensure we can ensure that Iran [20:34] never gets a nuclear weapon. [20:35] So you're essentially saying you're asking for literally $1.5 trillion for a war that [20:41] President Trump said he already won. [20:43] You're asking for $1.5 trillion, unlimited money for bombs, but insufficient money in the [20:49] American, for the American people, for their health care, their food, their housing, and [20:54] our farmers, Secretary Rollins, who we have cut SNAP program. [21:00] We are not funding the losses from emergencies that have happened in blue states, particularly [21:08] when we had frost. [21:10] That's not true. [21:11] False. [21:12] You're not funding it. [21:12] But back to you, Secretary Hegseth. [21:14] And I would like to respond to the fertilizer and the gas. [21:17] You continue to have your chance, Secretary Hegseth. [21:19] There's no reason to be rude. [21:20] You are asking for unlimited money for bombs when people can't feed their families. [21:25] And I don't know how this administration intends to defend those decisions to the American [21:30] people. [21:31] Then Senator Tammy Baldwin said, you know, I spoke with the soldiers who were in the barracks [21:37] who were injured in some of these attacks. [21:40] You're not offering them any aid or support. [21:42] You're not allowing them to even get the treatment. [21:45] You're downplaying their injuries. [21:47] You're covering this all up. [21:49] Watch what she says. [21:49] Yes, Senator. [21:51] Thank you. [21:53] Secretary Hegseth, I traveled to Walter Reed Military Hospital and met with soldiers who [21:59] were injured in that attack. [22:03] What they told me confirmed what other soldiers have said publicly, that most of these soldiers [22:09] injured in the attack did not receive proper medical care in Kuwait, in Germany, or during [22:15] their initial days back in the U.S. The U.S. military has been fighting wars in the Middle [22:20] East for 25 years. Why was proper medical care not immediately available to these injured [22:28] soldiers? And why were they not immediately screened for traumatic brain injuries? [22:33] I'm not taking issue with the characterization of individual soldiers, but I would argue that every [22:41] effort was made to provide every level of medical care possible, understanding how CENTCOM [22:45] operates. [22:45] The senator's time has expired. [22:48] More from Senator Reed right here. Let's play it. [22:50] At least no really realistic outcome in sight yet. Let me switch to General Cain. General Cain, [22:56] these airstrikes have not yet deterred and defeated the Iranians. Do you think airstrikes [23:03] alone will do that? [23:04] Sir, I think academically, as you look across the totality of history, air power's got limits, [23:11] and we always have to be mindful of those. I think where America's area of exclusivity is, [23:17] is when we bring the totality of the diplomatic, informational, economic, and pair that with the [23:24] military, and there's a lot of that work going on, sir. [23:27] Well, the military, the next step would be escalation by ground combat. Do you anticipate [23:31] that escalation? [23:33] Sir, I think it'd be unhelpful for me to opine on hypotheticals. What I can tell you is we always [23:39] develop an unbelievable amount of options and the associated risks, and then my main job [23:45] is to always ensure that leaders understand those options and the risks. [23:49] Now, if you employ ground troops to seize objectives, which I would assume be the first [23:55] stage, are you prepared for an extended guerrilla war, which would likely happen in that area? [24:00] Sir, with all due respect, I think it'd be unhelpful for me to opine on hypothetical situations on [24:07] whatever decisions the president may or may not take in the future. [24:11] Have you advised the president that a ground combat would be very expensive in the lives of our [24:18] soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, and also could probably lead to an extended [24:24] unconventional war in that area? I don't see the Iranians sort of throwing the hands of saying, [24:31] you know, welcome to Iran. Senator, I always advise the president on a [24:39] range of military options and all of the risks that are contained within that, but I have to keep [24:45] my military advice to the president private, sir. But, well, thank you. [24:50] Well, there you have it, folks. Let me know what you think. Hit subscribe. Let's get to 7 million subscribers. [24:56] Thanks for watching, everybody. [24:57] Before you go, our book, WTF America, is available for pre-order now. It's the story of how we got here [25:04] and how we fight our way back. To pre-order, scan the QR code or click the link in the description. [25:09] Let's do this.