War Secretary Pete Hegseth defended U.S. military operations targeting Iran during a Cabinet meeting Thursday, praising the campaign as swift and decisive while criticizing media coverage of the conflict.

Hegseth took aim at the press early in his remarks, urging reporters to accurately portray the war effort.

“You wouldn’t know it if you listened to the dishonest, anti-Trump media,” Hegseth said. “These cameras… they have a choice. You’re either informing the American people of the truth or you’re not… My message to the media is: get it right.”

Hegseth framed the operation as a historic success, crediting President Donald Trump for authorizing what he described as a rapid and effective dismantling of Iran’s military capabilities.

OVER 90% OF IRANIAN MISSILES INTERCEPTED, BUT A CRITICAL VULNERABILITY IS GROWING, REPORT WARNS

“Iran had a modern military, and never in recorded history has a nation’s military been so quickly and effectively neutralized,” Hegseth said. “This is not an endless war. It’s a decisive campaign with clear objectives… to destroy Iran’s offensive military capabilities and ensure they never obtain a nuclear weapon.”

The remarks come as the administration outlines its strategy following recent strikes on Iranian targets, describing the campaign as focused on defined military objectives rather than prolonged engagement.

Hegseth cited operational figures during his remarks, stating that more than 10,000 enemy targets had been hit, along with over 150 naval vessels and underground facilities.

“This is stuff for the books. This is stuff for legacy, Mr. President, to ensure future generations do not have to live under the threat of a nuclear-armed Iran,” he said.

Hegseth also criticized press coverage of the operation, accusing outlets of failing to accurately reflect military efforts on the ground.

“You wouldn’t know it if you listened to the dishonest, anti-Trump media,” he said. “Behind every headline you write, there’s a helicopter crew in the air. Behind every news story, there’s a battalion on the move. Behind every so-called ‘fake news’ story, there’s an F-35 pilot executing a dangerous mission.”

TRUMP LASHES OUT AT ‘SICK’ IRANIAN LEADERS, CONFIRMS ESTIMATED TIMELINE FOR ENDING WAR

Drawing on past experience, Hegseth referenced public debates during the Iraq War, arguing that media narratives have historically conflicted with military objectives.

“I’m not a rookie in this realm,” he said. “In 2007, I helped lead the public fight when people stood in the Senate and declared the war was lost before it even turned.”

He maintained that current operations differ from past conflicts, describing the campaign as structured and effective rather than open-ended.

“This is not parody. This is not chaos. This is success… pure American success, on plan and ahead of pace,” Hegseth said.

US MOVES AIRBORNE TROOPS, MARINES AS IRAN REJECTS CEASEFIRE, RAISING GROUND WAR POTENTIAL

Hegseth also claimed Iranian naval capabilities had been significantly degraded, stating that the commander of Iran’s naval forces had been killed in a recent operation.

“They no longer have a navy, Mr. President,” Hegseth stated. “Their naval commander was killed overnight in operations.”

“If President Trump had not acted, you’d be screaming, ‘Why not?’ And now that he has taken decisive action, you’re asking why he did,” Hegseth said.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE

Hegseth also referenced past U.S. foreign policy under the Obama administration, criticizing the Iran nuclear deal.

“Many of the military factories and bases that are now being destroyed were paid for by pallets of American cash that Barack Obama flew to Tehran under the Iran deal,” Hegseth said.

“Make no mistake… we had to act,” he noted. “Our objective is the complete dismantling of their nuclear program.”

Added resort fees still kicking up the cost of hotel stays for travelers and tourists — even as new rules aim to make them easier to spot.

A recent NerdWallet study of 160 hotels found that some resort fees average about $33 per night. The fees can range from roughly $15 to $50 a day. 

These mandatory charges, often labeled as “destination” or “amenity” fees, are typically added on top of the advertised room rate.

LAS VEGAS TOURISM PLUMMETS AS OFFICIALS CONSIDER $6M PLAN TO WIN BACK CANADIAN VISITORS

The fees remain common in major tourist destinations such as Las Vegas, Hawaii and Orlando, according to a number of sources.

Many hotels state clearly that the fees cover access to amenities like Wi-Fi, pools and fitness centers.

Some hotel chains also have higher resort fees than others, NerdWallet said. 

The data compiled showed “the average cost of a resort fee, when present,” was $50 at Marriott, $33.80 at Hyatt, $33 at Hilton, $32.57 at IHG and $25 at Wyndham.

HOTELS, RESORTS ACCUSED OF CHARGING TOO MANY ‘FEES,’ SENDING FED-UP VACATIONERS OVERSEAS FOR CHEAPER DEALS

Some hotel chains such as Hilton Honors and World of Hyatt waive the resort fees on bookings made with points, according to the study. 

Top-tier hotel elite status can eliminate resort fees entirely. Hyatt waives charges on both paid and award stays for its highest-level globalist members — a handy benefit given the brand’s relatively high fees.

Critics argue the charges are misleading, particularly when they’re unavoidable and not included in the initial price seen online, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) says.

Federal regulators have recently stepped in to address that concern. As of May 2025, a new rule from the Federal Trade Commission requires hotels and short-term rental platforms to display the full price upfront, including mandatory fees, rather than adding them later on in the booking process.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER

Still, the regulation does not eliminate resort fees — so travelers continue to pay them, even if they’re now more transparent.

Hotels have long used resort fees to keep advertised room rates lower in search results while still collecting additional revenue through mandatory charges, according to Travel Weekly and other industry reporting.

Christopher Elliott, founder of Elliott Advocacy, which provides mediation assistance for issues between travelers and airlines, cruise lines and hotels, said he’s skeptical hotels would reduce extra fees.

Hotel guests do have rights, however. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES

“It depends where you are, but generally you have the right to pay the rate you were initially quoted,” he told Fox News Digital. He’s based in Spokane, Washington.

“If you can prove, in writing, that the rate is different, you can dispute your credit card charge,” Elliott added.

Travelers remain frustrated by the issue. 

“I see [fees] as an underhanded way to raise rates without paying commissions to travel agents/booking sites,” one traveler wrote on Reddit.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

It’s similar “to airline ‘fuel surcharges,’ as if anybody was ever buying tickets for an airplane with no fuel in it,” another traveler responded.

“Congrats on discovering the American way of … squeezing the lemon for every last drop,” a third person chimed in.

Elliott said resort guests need to advocate for themselves. “If you catch it early enough, a polite complaint to a manager” can help, he said.

“If you’ve already checked out, and if the hotel isn’t responsive, [you can] dispute the additional charges on your credit card. I’ve seen that work.”

Fox News Digital reached out to the American Hotel & Lodging Association for comment.

A Harvard student said Jewish students on campus feel “unwelcome” in certain classrooms amid a new multibillion-dollar lawsuit from the Trump administration over the school’s mishandling of antisemitism. 

Last week, Trump’s Department of Justice filed a 44-page lawsuit against the Ivy League institution for “[failing] to protect its Jewish students,” and Harvard sophomore Teja Billa told Fox News Digital that the university failed to implement all the steps to combat antisemitism the school said they would. 

“Jewish students and Israeli students feeling very unwelcome in certain courses to do with the Israel-Palestine conflict,” Billa told Fox. “More broadly, I don’t think all of the steps that the task force outlined to address it have actually been implemented. It’s great to come out with a task force report, but it really necessitates action on the part of Harvard.”

“I really hope that Harvard and the administration can reach some sort of negotiated settlement that keeps the research funding that is so important to Harvard while also addressing the really, really widespread and critical instances of bias and anti-Semitism that we found in the report and haven’t fully addressed,” Billa added.

COLUMBIA REVIEW FINDS JEWISH STUDENTS WERE CALLED ‘MURDERERS,’ BLASTED WITH ANTI-ISRAEL TIRADES

The Trump administration announced the lawsuit last week, with Attorney General Pam Bondi criticizing the rise in antisemitism and the universities that “allowed” sentiments to exist at schools across the country. 

“Since October 7th, 2023, too many of our educational institutions have allowed anti-Semitism to flourish on campus – Harvard included,” Bondi said in a statement. “[This lawsuit] underscores the Trump Administration’s commitment to demanding better from our nation’s schools and putting an end to discriminatory behavior that harms students.”

Robert Kennedy Jr. also weighed in on the suit, noting the significant amount of federal funding that is pouring into various educational institutions. 

“Every student deserves to learn without fear of harassment or exclusion,” the Health and Human Services secretary said. “When institutions take taxpayer dollars, they accept a duty to protect civil rights. We hold Harvard accountable on the principle that antisemitism has no place in any program funded by the American people.”

GOT A SCOOP ON CAMPUS? SEND US A TIP HERE

Last April, the Ivy League school revealed the findings of an internal task force investigation into antisemitism at Harvard. Their findings showed that nearly 40% of Jewish students do not feel “at home” at the university.

The task force’s report also found roughly 26% of Jewish students felt “physically unsafe.”

SIGN UP TO GET CAMPUS RADICALS NEWSLETTER

Harvard University President Alan Garber apologized following the report’s release, while acknowledging the antisemitism that existed on campus.

“I am sorry for the moments when we failed to meet the high expectations we rightfully set for our community,” Garber said in a letter. “The grave, extensive impact of the October 7, 2023, Hamas assault on Israel and its aftermath had serious repercussions on our campus.”

CLICK HERE FOR MORE CAMPUS RADICALS COAST TO COAST

During Billa’s interview with Fox News Digital, he said one potential solution could involve determining just how “left-leaning” the faculty at the top university really is.

“I think there should be a broader diversity of viewpoints that we see among the professors,” Billa explained. “We’ll do a faculty survey, and it will show that the professors themselves are overwhelmingly left-leaning, and that can’t possibly get every valid viewpoint to an issue.”

Billa also noted that students are fearful of speaking on hot topics because they are worried about conflicting opinions with professors impacting their grades. 

“On the other hand, a lot of students are feeling hesitant or afraid to speak up in class on controversial issues,” Billa continued. “Most of the graduating seniors actually reported that they would not speak up in class out of fear of being canceled or fear of perhaps grading impacts.”

A spokesperson for Harvard told Fox News Digital that they have implemented policies to combat antisemitism and said the university “cares deeply about members of our Jewish and Israeli community.”

“Harvard has taken substantive, proactive steps to address the root causes of antisemitism and actively enforces anti-harassment and anti-discrimination rules and policies on campus,” the spokesperson explained. “We also have enhanced training and education on antisemitism for students, faculty, and staff and launched programs to promote civil dialogue and respectful disagreement inside and outside the classroom. Harvard’s efforts demonstrate the very opposite of deliberate indifference.”