Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth Reportedly Powdered His Nose Before Meeting Ukraine’s Defense Minister, New Report Says

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth reportedly dabbed his nose with a personal makeup compact moments before meeting Ukraine’s defense minister at NATO headquarters in Brussels, according to a New York Times investigation. The episode, observers say, came as Hegseth navigated high-stakes diplomacy and media scrutiny early in his tenure.

Early Days at the Pentagon

Hegseth, 45, left his role as a Fox News host after President Donald Trump nominated him to lead the Department of Defense in November 2024 and was sworn in on Jan. 25, 2025. He has publicly styled himself the "Secretary of War," and entered the job amid the president’s repeated promises to try to end Russia’s war in Ukraine "on day one" of a second term.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly powdered his nose before meeting Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov at NATO HQ. / Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Alexander C. Kubitza, DOD

Brussels Meeting And Media Optics

In February, Hegseth traveled to Europe to pursue a possible ceasefire initiative. At NATO headquarters on Feb. 12, he met Ukraine’s defense minister, Rustem Umerov. An American official present told The New York Times that Hegseth briefly powdered his nose from a small compact before the handshake. The official also said Hegseth appeared conscious of the optics—reportedly telling a staffer,

"Look commanding."

Staffing, Advice And Policy

The Times report describes an aide-driven approach to Russia and Ukraine policy: a former Pentagon official told the paper that Hegseth "didn’t have any of his own thoughts on Russia and Ukraine. But he had civilian advisers who did." The early period included rapid briefings on European politics and security as the new secretary settled into the role.

Pete Hegseth reportedly told one staffer:

Green Room Remodel And Spending Questions

In April, Hegseth denied a CBS News report that he ordered a green room adjacent to the Pentagon briefing room to be remodeled as a dedicated makeup space. The CBS story said the project cost several thousand dollars and included a director’s chair and a large mirror with makeup lights. DoD officials told Vanity Fair the original estimate was in the "$10,000 to $15,000 range," but that costs were reduced by repurposing existing inventory and constructing a countertop internally.

Defense officials also said Hegseth does his own makeup rather than hiring a makeup artist—a detail consistent with the reported use of a personal compact in Brussels. Hegseth publicly called the CBS story a "totally fake story" on his X account, dismissing the claims while criticizing the press.

Before being nominated to lead the Pentagon, Hegseth was a host on Fox News. / Ben Gabbe / Getty Images

Budget Cuts And Administrative Actions

Around the same time, Hegseth signed a March memo titled "Continuing Elimination of Wasteful Spending at the Department of Defense," which identified more than $580 million in contracts and grants the administration classified as wasteful and moved to terminate. The episode highlights tensions between media optics, internal DoD priorities, and an inexperienced secretary operating under heavy public scrutiny.

The New York Times investigation paints a portrait of a newcomer to the Pentagon balancing media presentation, policy advice from aides, and efforts to trim spending while attempting to manage urgent diplomatic matters in Europe.