Story perspectives

Pentagon Hosts Jake and Logan Paul, Sparks Backlash

By Drooid · Sep 22, 2026, 3:00 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth hosted Jake and Logan Paul for a motivational speech at the Pentagon on Thursday.
Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Joel Valdez said the brothers toured the building, visited the 9/11 memorial, and thanked service members.
Their address video has garnered over 47 million views on X.
Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) condemned the visit, writing “We aren’t a serious country at the moment.”

History

Historical Context

In 2001, after the September 11 attacks that killed 2,977 people, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld’s Pentagon briefing included Vice President Dick Cheney. The 2024 invitation by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to YouTubers Jake and Logan Paul, criticized by Rep. Adam Kinzinger, echoes the recurring debate over media stunts at the Pentagon.

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Story summary

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth hosted Jake and Logan Paul for a motivational speech at the Pentagon on Thursday.
Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Joel Valdez said the brothers toured the building, visited the 9/11 memorial, and thanked service members.
Their address video has garnered over 47 million views on X.
Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) condemned the visit, writing “We aren’t a serious country at the moment.”

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