In a Truth Social post, former President Donald Trump referred to Fox News host Pete Hegseth as “Secretary of War,” praising his commentary on military strategy and modern warfare. Trump first floated the idea during the NATO summit, reflecting nostalgically on the now-defunct title, last used in 1947 before being replaced by Secretary of Defense. Trump joked about temporarily reviving the name, saying, “Maybe for a couple of weeks we’ll call it that because we feel like warriors.” He added that the original title was changed due to political correctness. The post sparked backlash online, with critics pointing out the importance of the 1947 National Security Act, which reorganized military leadership post-World War II. Some accused Trump of undermining tradition and pushing militaristic rhetoric, while others questioned his praise of Hegseth despite once running on an anti-war platform. Still, Trump’s remarks stirred debate about symbolism, national identity, and military leadership language.
