On 17 October, Pentagon Secretary Pete Hegseth faced backlash for wearing a tie featuring red, white and blue stripes that critics likened to the Russian flag, prompting a derisive reply from the Pentagon.
Tie Sparks Russia Flag Allegations
On 17 October, Pentagon Secretary Pete Hegseth donned a tie with red, white and blue stripes that drew comparisons to the Russian flag. The outfit was described by HuffPost as eliciting compliments from Russia’s Vladimir Putin and TASS news agency.
Pentagon’s Reply to HuffPost Questions
When HuffPost asked whether Hegseth knew about the remarks or had worn the tie earlier, spokesperson Sean Parnell replied, “Your mother bought it for him. And it is a patriotic, American tie, idiot.”
Later, Pentagon spokesman Kingsley Wilson answered HuffPost’s query about the flag’s usage, stating, “If loving the homeland enough to represent it from head to toe is a crime in the eyes of a left‑wing blog called HuffPost, then Hegseth is guilty. He is a patriot who respects our country and flag.”
White House’s Past Evasive Responses
The White House has a history of terse answers. When HuffPost asked spokesperson Caroline Leavitt about Hungary being suggested as a venue for a Putin‑Trump meeting, she replied, “Your mother did it.” She later dismissed HuffPost’s reporter as a “deep‑right extremist” who is not taken seriously.
Broader Media Reactions
The episode illustrates the politicized rhetoric emerging from Washington’s top communications personnel when confronted by independent journalists. Journalists will continue to probe political figures on symbolic gestures such as dress and flag usage.
