The Department of War hosted its inaugural briefing under the leadership of its new press secretary today, following a significant media overhaul that excluded traditional news outlets from the Pentagon.

In a scene that could be described as dystopian, the sparsely filled room was predominantly occupied by right-wing media representatives, including former congressman Matt Gaetz and Donald Trump ally Laura Loomer.

Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson, making her first appearance at just the third Pentagon briefing of the year, took questions from the podium.

Unlike her White House counterpart Karoline Leavitt, the 26-year-old Wilson faced a series of softball questions from the so-called ‘new media,’ and the event concluded in under 30 minutes.

While Wilson addressed inquiries about the ‘narco-terror’ drug conflict in Venezuela and Iran’s nuclear ambitions, the session largely focused on criticizing The Washington Post’s reporting, with its journalists noticeably absent.

In October, media outlets were required to sign new agreements to retain access to Pete Hegseth’s department.

The humiliating agreements would have required reporters to adhere to strict rules about what they could report on, including limiting coverage to Pentagon-approved material.

Major outlets, including CBS, ABC and the Post, refused, citing threats to independent reporting and journalistic freedom. 

Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson, 26, speaks to a handful of journalists at her first briefing today. Legacy media, including CBS, ABC and The Washington Post, were not present

Wilson, who is the daughter of a right-wing commentator, announced that these briefings will now become a more regular fixture; seen during a practice session in April

Wilson and her husband John at the Kennedy Center Gala on September 27

In a dystopian scene, the almost empty room was stacked with right–wing media, including disgraced ex-congressman Matt Gaetz (right) and Donald Trump confidante Laura Loomer (left)

Loomer kicked off proceedings with the only question resembling a challenge to the Trump administration, asking about the White House’s relationship with Qatar.

The MAGA influencer referred to the country as the ‘biggest financiers of the Muslim Brotherhood’, a group designated as a terrorist organization. 

‘I’m not tracking this,’ Wilson replied. 

Tuesday’s briefing was her first time addressing reporters at the podium.

The first two questions were handled by Hegseth, as well as the assistant to the Secretary of Defense for public affairs, Sean Parnell, along with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine. 

Wilson’s briefing appeared to be mostly focused on direct messaging from the department.

At this time, the White House has not barred reporters from mainstream outlets from attending their briefings. 

Wilson also announced that these briefings will now become a more regular fixture -raising eyebrows about what comes next.

Disgraced congressman Gaetz asked Wilson if anyone who has served in the Venezuelan military would be considered a narco-terrorist, to which she responded: ‘That would be a determination for the President to make.’

She defended the strikes by claiming that every person hit so far was a narco-terrorist in a drug boat. This assertion has not been verified. 

Wilson may be hoping to emulate White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, though she faces a much less combative press pack 

Wilson’s official portrait from the Department of War 

After a major shakeup within the Department of Defense that kicked legacy organizations out of their seats and beats, the Pentagon hosted its third briefing, led by Wilson in her first stint

Members of the Pentagon press corps carry their belongings out of the Pentagon after turning in their passes in October

 Wilson meets with US Army social media influencers at the Pentagon on June 9

Much of the discussion centered around a Post story that alleged Hegseth committed a war crime by verbally ordering follow-up strikes that killed survivors on an alleged drug boat in the Caribbean.

The White House and Pentagon previously shot this accusation down, calling the article ‘fake news’ and claiming the quotes from the Defense Secretary were ‘fabricated.’

The press secretary doubled down on this, stating the decision to re-strike a vessel in September was made by Admiral Frank M Bradley, and that Hegseth stood behind his decision. 

Wilson is the daughter of right-wing commentator and former Trump adviser Steve Cortes. She previously worked for the conservative think-tank Center for Renewing America, which was founded by Russell Vought, Trump’s budget chief.

In October, every credentialed newsroom and reporter with an office inside the Pentagon was forced to pack up and leave if they had not signed the new contracts. 

On Monday, a group of new media showed up, with Loomer claiming the desk once used by The Washington Post. 

She announced on X that she was now using the seat formerly occupied by the Post’s Dan Lamothe.

Lamothe shared screenshots of three different people asserting they were sitting at his old desk, commenting, ‘Y’all are going to have to work this one out for yourselves.’

He added with a hint of bemusement, ‘By my count, I’ve got at least two or three desks left at the Pentagon. Lost count.’

Earlier, Loomer had posted, ‘The Washington Post and Dan Lamothe used to occupy this desk inside the Pentagon Press room. Now it’s mine!’

Lamothe replied wryly, ‘May it treat you well on your occasional trips to Washington, Laura. I assume it’ll sit empty much of the time, as it has for weeks now.’

After the new media briefing, the Department of Defense said a meet–and–greet and press gaggle setup with Hegseth will take place.