MAGA vs. Media: Ullyot’s Pentagon Exposé Met With Conservative Firestorm
MAGA Internal Power Struggle Erupts
Donald Trump Jr. has delivered a scathing public rebuke of former Pentagon spokesman John Ullyot, declaring him “officially exiled” from the MAGA movement. The president’s son accused Ullyot of secretly working against the Trump administration’s America First agenda following Ullyot’s critical op-ed in Politico about conditions at the Department of Defense.
“This guy is not America First; I’ve been hearing for years that he works his ass off to subvert my father’s agenda,” Trump Jr. wrote on his X account. “That ends today. He’s officially exiled from our movement.”
Pentagon Meltdown Allegations
Ullyot resigned from his Pentagon position and subsequently authored a blistering op-ed describing a “full-blown meltdown” at the Defense Department. He suggested Secretary Pete Hegseth should resign, citing a tumultuous month that culminated in the firing of three senior Pentagon staffers, including deputy chief of staff Sergio de la Peña, chief of staff Chris Barkley, and general counsel Edward Grindstaff.
The dispute has triggered a cascade of accusations from MAGA allies, with insider Arthur Schwartz describing Ullyot as “universally regarded in Trumpworld as an incompetent buffoon who sucks at his job.” Sources close to the administration claim Ullyot was pushed out rather than resigning voluntarily, painting him as disloyal and ineffective in his role.
White House Defends Hegseth
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has firmly backed Secretary Hegseth, framing the firings as a necessary response to internal leaks. “They were Pentagon employees who leaked against their boss to news agencies in this room, and it’s been clear since Day One from this administration that we are not going to tolerate individuals who leak to the mainstream media,” Leavitt stated during a press briefing.
Hegseth himself expressed disappointment over the media leaks and justified his decision to remove the advisors as necessary to protect national security interests. He has directly accused Ullyot of misrepresenting his work to media outlets, further escalating the public dispute between former colleagues.
The administration maintains that President Trump continues to fully support Hegseth’s leadership at the Pentagon despite the recent turmoil. White House officials have characterized the criticism as part of a coordinated smear campaign against Hegseth’s efforts to bring meaningful reform to the Defense Department.
This internal conflict reflects the broader tensions within the Trump-inspired wing of American politics, where ideological alignment and personal loyalty continue to define boundaries of inclusion. The swift and decisive response from Trump Jr. demonstrates the family’s ongoing influence in determining who remains within the movement’s inner circle.
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