Hegseth Slammed By Critics For 'Clarification' On Qatar Deal: 'That's Not What You Said'

“The U.S. military has a long-standing partnership w/ Qatar, including today’s announced cooperation w/ F-15QA aircraft,” he clarified on X. “However, to be clear, Qatar will not have their own base in the United States—nor anything like it.”

Hegseth continued, “We control the existing base, like we do with all partners.”

Critics on social media were quick to note that Hegseth announced the complete opposite during a press conference at the Pentagon earlier that day, however, while seated next to Qatar’s Minister of Defense, Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman al-Thani.

“I’m also proud that today we’re announcing we’re signing a letter of acceptance to build a Qatari Emeri Air Force facility at the Mountain Home Airbase in Idaho,” said Hegseth at the time. “The location will host a contingent of Qatari F-15s and pilots.”

Hegseth added at the time that this will “enhance our combined training, increase lethality” and “interoperability” between nations. Longtime Trump ally Laura Loomer expressed outrage over Qatar being a majority Muslim nation with a spotty track record.

Many critics appeared most frustrated at Hegseth’s inability to issue a consistent message.

“But that’s not what you said there,” wrote one user on X who shared footage of Hegseth’s initial claim, with another person asking: “So they will not have a base, but they will have a base? So they’ll have a base but the US will be guarding it is basically what you’re saying.”

Hegseth was excoriated by social media critics for his mixed messages on serious issues.

Andrew Harnik/Pool/Associated Press

“Seriously, this admin REALLY needs to make sure they have their statements ready before speaking,” wrote a third user. “It’s almost continual corrections, retractions, updates, etc. What you are saying here is materially different than what was stated during the meeting.”

More brutal criticism on social media came Hegseth’s way.