Pete Hegseth’s callous war messaging

And Trump goes after Rep. Massie while speaking in lawmaker's district, endorses opponent |

VIEW IN BROWSER MS NOW DAILY Understand today's news Thursday, Mar. 12, 2026   THE LATEST The Iran war is serious. The way Pete Hegseth talks about it is not. By Jeff McCausland The Iran war is serious. The way Pete Hegseth talks about it is not. By Jeff McCausland Last week, the Pentagon was still conducting the investigation that led to Wednesday's report that a U.S. missile likely killed more than 170 people at a school near an Iranian military base — and the White House was publishing to social media video montages that spliced snippets from video games and Hollywood action movies with real wartime footage out of Iran. Those social media posts were beneath the dignity of the White House, and they were released a day before the dignified transfer of American soldiers killed in the ongoing war provided an image of how deadly serious war is. White House officials reportedly believe the Trump administration is losing the communications war with Americans. That concern may explain why Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has started conducting news conferences after assiduously avoiding them. But the former Fox News host's briefings have amounted to Fox News "performances," replete with braggadocio and empty phrases like "we're playing for keeps" and "death and destruction from the sky all day." If he believes such vacuous presentations have inspired Americans, then he is sorely mistaken. Polls have found that most Americans are opposed to the United States' war with Iran.   This is a preview of Jeff McCausland's latest column. Read the full column here. TOP STORIES KEVIN FREY Republicans define victory in Iran as whatever Trump says it is Trump won't say what exactly the objective in Iran is. Republicans are just fine with that. Read more. ZEESHAN ALEEM Why the White House's plan to pivot on immigration is doomed Trump is quietly panicking over the backlash to his immigration operation. But his solution is far-fetched. Read more. MICHAEL A. COHEN Andy Ogles' bigotry is awful. So is Mike Johnson's cowardly response. When asked about Rep. Andy Ogles' bigoted anti-Muslim outburst, House Speaker Mike Johnson did what he's done many times in the past: nothing. Read more. ERUM SALAM Norway arrests 3 brothers in bombing at U.S. Embassy in Oslo The explosion, which caused limited damage to the building and no injuries, is being treated as a possible act of terrorism. Read more. TOP VIDEOS CHRIS JANSING REPORTS Trump attacks Rep. Massie, endorses his opponent in Kentucky GOP primary WATCH NOW CHRIS JANSING REPORTS Three ships attacked near critical Strait of Hormuz, causing global economic concern WATCH NOW ANA CABRERA REPORTS Sen. Murray: Trump administration must be held accountable for Iranian school strike WATCH NOW KATY TUR Rep. Kevin Kiley explains why he left the GOP to run as an independent WATCH NOW MORE FROM MS NOW Symone Sanders Townsend and Eugene Daniels are analyzing how culture and politics collide in their new original podcast, "Clock It with Symone & Eugene." In Episode 5, Don Lemon joins to discuss the latest in the Middle East, if Donald Trump should be invited to the White House Correspondents' Dinner and to give his take on the role of a journalist in the modern age. Listen to the fifth episode now for free. Subscribe to MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts for ad-free listening and bonus content. This week on "The Best People," Nicolle Wallace is joined by Emmy and Grammy-nominated comedian Tig Notaro to discuss the Oscar-nominated documentary she produced about the profoundly impactful late poet and activist Andrea Gibson. Listen now and subscribe to MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts for early access, ad-free listening and bonus content. 229 West 43rd St. New York, NY 10036 PRIVACY | CONTACT | UNSUBSCRIBE