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Camp David Ammo Feud
U.S. President Donald Trump publicly disputed a Washington Post report that he clashed with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at Camp David over a munitions shortage threatening to limit U.S. military options in Iran.
“"extremely happy" with the work of US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth”
Trump wrote on Truth Social that he was "extremely happy" with Hegseth's work, and he rejected the premise of any confrontation by calling the reporting "fake 'reporting'" that he said was "treasonous!"
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also denied the account, posting "This literally never happened," shortly after the Washington Post report was published.
The dispute unfolded as outlets reported that the U.S. military’s supply of premium long-range missiles and interceptors for a key missile defense system had been nearly exhausted during the war with Iran, which had crossed into its sixth month.
Leavitt, Parnell Denials
Leavitt framed the Camp David story as fabricated, writing "This literally never happened," and saying Trump had "the utmost confidence" in Hegseth.
Pentagon chief spokesman Sean Parnell said Hegseth "did not mislead anyone about our munitions posture" and that he did not blame Deputy Defense Secretary Stephen Feinberg.
The Washington Post report was also rejected by Trump, who wrote that "In actuality, I really believe their fake 'reporting' is treasonous!" while pointing to U.S. operations in Venezuela and Iran as examples of what he described as extraordinary work.
Newsweek reported that North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis said Hegseth has "lost my confidence," while Maine Senator Susan Collins called the departures of senior military officials "deeply troubling."
Readiness, Production, Stakes
The munitions dispute is tied to reported limits on offensive and defense systems during the Iran campaign, with ABC reporting that the U.S. has used a substantial portion of stocks of Tomahawk, ATACMS, Patriot, and THAAD missiles.
“The Pentagon has asked Congress for an additional $67 billion”
ABC also said the Pentagon asked Congress for an additional $67 billion to cover war costs and rebuild its inventories, while noting that some missiles take more than two years to manufacture.
Trump countered the shortage narrative by asserting on Truth Social that the United States possesses "massive" quantities of ammunition and that defense companies are raising "the greatest number of factories in the history of our country."
The Hill reported that the shortage of Army Tactical Missile Systems and Precision Strike Missiles, surface-to-surface munitions that cost $1 million each, highlighted worries among some Defense officials and experts about U.S. readiness to fight elsewhere if other conflicts emerge.
