President Donald Trump has once again captured attention with a bold statement on Truth Social, where he praised Fox News host Pete Hegseth and gave him a new title — Secretary of War.
Trump made the post after watching Hegseth appear on Fox News to discuss military weapons and the state of modern warfare. The post was filled with compliments for Hegseth’s military knowledge, and Trump used the opportunity to reflect on an old military title that hasn’t been officially used for more than 80 years.
The idea of calling someone the Secretary of War first came up when Trump was speaking at the NATO summit, where he briefly talked about American military history.
While speaking to the press, Trump mentioned that the U.S. used to have a Secretary of War, a title that he said carried strength and reflected the warrior spirit of the nation at that time. He pointed out that this title was replaced with Secretary of Defense, which he suggested was a result of political correctness.
Trump told the media at the summit, “You know, it used to be called Secretary of War. Maybe for a couple of weeks we’ll call it that because we feel like warriors.” He joked about how the country had shifted from using powerful and direct titles like Secretary of War to more moderate ones like Secretary of Defense.
Trump said that if you look at the old buildings near the White House, you can still see where the office of the Secretary of War once was.
The historical facts back up Trump’s statement. The title of Secretary of War was officially retired in 1947 when the Department of War was abolished. At that time, the position was replaced by the Secretary of the Army and the Secretary of the Air Force, and eventually, the Department of Defense was created to oversee all military branches. The last person to hold the title Secretary of War was Kenneth Royall under President Harry Truman.
Trump’s post on Truth Social did not suggest an official government change, but his followers took notice of his praise for Hegseth and his apparent fondness for the old title.
In his post, Trump admired Hegseth’s appearance on Fox News and labeled him, unofficially, as Secretary of War. While Hegseth is not actually being appointed to any such position, the symbolic gesture was enough to spark conversations across social media and news platforms.
Trump’s mention of bringing back the Secretary of War title coincided with his administration’s consideration of military action, particularly strikes on Iran. During his talk with the press, Trump mentioned that the country might feel like using the title again “for a couple of weeks” when the nation is in a more warrior-like mindset. “We feel that way,” he said, signaling that he views the current global situation as requiring a strong and aggressive stance.
However, Trump also added some humor to his comments, noting that “then we became politically correct and they called it Secretary of Defense.” He implied that the softer name doesn’t always match the reality of military power and warfare, which sometimes requires a direct and forceful approach.
As with many of Trump’s statements, reactions online were swift and divided. Liberals and critics took to social media to mock the idea of renaming the Secretary of Defense to the Secretary of War.
Some users expressed their disapproval, calling it an embarrassment for the country. One critic wrote online, “Zero days without an embarrassment,” highlighting their belief that Trump’s statement was just another in a series of controversial remarks.
Another critic took a more historical approach, pointing out that the National Security Act of 1947, which reorganized the military structure and created the Department of Defense, wasn’t about political correctness but about centralizing military power during the Cold War.
This user mocked Trump’s explanation, stating, “Yeah, when historians discuss the National Security Act of 1947, we absolutely stress how the centralization of American military power under the new Department of Defense at the dawn of the Cold War was all about being ‘politically correct.’”
Some critics even argued that such a change in title couldn’t happen by presidential whim alone. They noted that under the Constitution, Congress would have to approve any formal changes to cabinet positions or their titles. One user commented, “I’m pretty sure the Constitution says Congress has to get involved if you want to call him the Secretary of War…”
Others accused Trump of hypocrisy, recalling that he ran for president with an anti-war message, often criticizing previous administrations for getting involved in endless wars.
To those critics, it seemed inconsistent for Trump to glorify the idea of a “Secretary of War” after promoting a platform of reducing American military involvement abroad.
Yet, despite the criticisms, Trump’s supporters welcomed his statement, seeing it as a strong and unapologetic embrace of American military strength. Many of his fans celebrated the symbolic appointment of Hegseth as Secretary of War, even if just in name only. They saw it as a refreshing stance in favor of national pride, strength, and readiness to defend the country against any threats.
Pete Hegseth himself, a former Army officer and regular Fox News host, is well-known for his military expertise and patriotic commentary. Though he has not been officially offered the position of Secretary of Defense or any military title, Trump’s public admiration for him adds to Hegseth’s prominence among conservative audiences. Hegseth has often used his platform on Fox News to advocate for a strong military and has shown support for Trump’s military policies in the past.
The discussion about bringing back the title Secretary of War also opens a broader debate about how America views its military leaders and positions of power. Some argue that the term “war” more accurately reflects the reality of military responsibilities, while others believe that “defense” is a more appropriate and measured term that reflects a commitment to protecting the nation without glorifying conflict.
Trump’s comments also reflect his style of leadership, which often includes reviving older traditions or terminology that he believes better represent strength and decisiveness.
For Trump, names and titles matter because they convey a message. Whether it’s a slogan, a nickname, or an official title, Trump uses these symbols to frame how his administration is perceived.
For now, the title Secretary of War remains unofficial and symbolic in the context of Trump’s remarks. There is no formal plan in place to change the name of the Secretary of Defense, and any such move would likely require a legislative process involving Congress.
Nevertheless, the conversation sparked by Trump’s Truth Social post and his earlier comments at the NATO summit continues to stir political debate. Some see it as another example of Trump’s provocative rhetoric, while others view it as a necessary reminder of the country’s need for strength in a world filled with complex military threats.
As President Trump continues to express his views openly and directly on social media, it’s clear that his messages still resonate strongly with a large segment of the American public.
Whether calling attention to military titles or praising media personalities like Pete Hegseth, Trump’s words ensure that his vision for America’s future remains front and center in national discussions.
