Trump Backs Hegseth as He Insults Collins Over Impeachment
Trump defended Hegseth at an impromptu White House briefing on November 9, hours after Rep. Thomas Massie introduced articles of impeachment against the defense secretary. Asked by CNN’s Kaitlan Collins whether he would stand by Hegseth if the House impeached him, Trump said yes, including if Hegseth were to remain in the job afterward.
Collins pressed Trump on Massie’s claims. Trump interrupted, calling Massie a “loser” and directing the same insult at Collins and CNN. He argued that Hegseth had been in charge as the United States won two wars, and questioned why other officials involved in wars had not faced consequences.
Trump also invoked former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, whom he had previously criticized over a lack of transparency about a hospital stay. Hegseth expressed confidence despite the impeachment effort.
Later, MS NOW correspondent Vaughn Hillyard challenged Trump over his approach to Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling it appeasement. Trump dismissed the network as fake and continued criticizing it after turning to another reporter. He then praised Stephen Miller, recently named White House chief of staff, while not answering a question about Miller’s first full day in the role.
Trump Attacks Reporter After Vowing to Keep Hegseth
The exchange put Trump’s loyalty to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on display: after Rep. Thomas Massie introduced impeachment articles, Trump said he would stand by Hegseth even if the House impeached him. Collins asked whether that meant Hegseth would stay in his post. Trump’s answer was yes.
Rather than address the substance of Massie’s accusations as Collins raised them, Trump attacked the congressman, Collins and CNN, calling them losers. He defended Hegseth by saying the United States had won two wars under his watch and questioned why other officials had not been held accountable for wars they led.
Trump’s response also drew attention to his earlier criticism of former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin over a hospital stay, contrasting that stance with his promise to back Hegseth through impeachment. Hegseth expressed confidence despite the impeachment push.
Trump later dismissed MS NOW correspondent Vaughn Hillyard’s question about whether his dealings with Vladimir Putin amounted to appeasement, branding the network fake. The briefing showed a president turning questions about accountability and foreign policy into attacks on journalists, while offering Hegseth unconditional public support.
Trump Rejects Massie’s Hegseth Impeachment Push
Trump made clear he would not abandon Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over Rep. Thomas Massie’s impeachment effort. Asked by CNN’s Kaitlan Collins whether Hegseth would remain in the job even if impeached, Trump said he would stand by him and pointed to what he described as two wars won under Hegseth’s leadership.
Trump called Massie a loser and aimed the same insult at Collins and CNN as she tried to detail the case against the defense secretary. Hegseth, for his part, said he was not worried about the impeachment push. The confrontation underscored the split between Trump’s backing of his own administration and Massie’s move against its defense chief.
Trump also questioned why former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had not faced consequences over military matters, recalling his earlier criticism of Austin’s lack of transparency about a hospital stay. That comparison sharpened Trump’s case for treating Hegseth differently: he sees the current secretary as a successful leader who deserves support.
When MS NOW’s Vaughn Hillyard raised concerns about Trump’s approach to Vladimir Putin, Trump rejected the appeasement charge and attacked the network. He later praised new chief of staff Stephen Miller rather than answer a question about Miller’s first full day in the role.
Reported by Raw Story, Townhall.
