Overview
- In a tense White House briefing, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt accused CNN’s Kaitlan Collins and the press of trying to make the president look bad after questions about coverage of six fallen service members.
- Collins countered that reporting troop deaths is routine under every president and read back Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s earlier remarks complaining that tragedies become front‑page news.
- Leavitt defended Hegseth’s comments and said the administration expects outlets to emphasize the results of Operation Epic Fury against Iran.
- Leavitt confirmed President Trump will attend the dignified transfer for the fallen service members.
- Following the exchange, journalists including CNN’s Jake Tapper condemned the officials’ statements, and outlets reported the Pentagon-identified fallen as Captain Cody Khork, Sergeant First Class Noah Tietjens, Sergeant First Class Nicole Amor, Sergeant Declan Coady, Major Jeffrey O’Brien, and Chief Warrant Officer Three Robert Marzan.