{"id":208842,"date":"2025-09-07T23:56:18","date_gmt":"2025-09-07T23:56:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/208842\/"},"modified":"2025-09-07T23:56:18","modified_gmt":"2025-09-07T23:56:18","slug":"white-house-deletes-video-with-bizarre-stolen-valor-claim","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/208842\/","title":{"rendered":"White House Deletes Video With Bizarre Stolen Valor Claim"},"content":{"rendered":"

The White House\u2019s X account deleted a promotional video that falsely claimed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth received \u201cthe Bronze Star Medal for valor.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Hegseth video came after President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday that gave the Department of Defense the secondary title of \u201cDepartment of War.\u201d To celebrate the change, the White House posted a video boasting about Hegseth\u2019s military record, calling him \u201can officer in the United States Army National Guard. A veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan. Recipient of the Bronze Star medal for valor. A warrior. A leader. And a patriot.\u201d<\/p>\n

The video was taken down as soon as journalists debunked the claim that Hegseth had received the Bronze Star Medal for valor. Hegseth did receive two Bronze Star medals during his service\u2014not for valor but for meritorious service, according to Associated Press journalist Konstantin Toropin.<\/p>\n

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The White House deleted this video that falsely claimed Pete Hegseth was awarded \u201cthe Bronze Star Medal for valor.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hegseth was awarded two Bronze Star Medals for *meritorious service* NOT acts of heroism in combat. #StolenValor<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/9QtVmRLhG9<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 PatriotTakes \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 (@patriottakes) September 6, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The Bronze Star medal is considered the fourth-highest ranking award a service member can receive. It can be granted for valor, merit, and achievement. <\/p>\n

Hegseth\u2019s awards reflect commendable performance during his time serving, but medals of valor require acts of heroism during combat. The distinction is so significant that Bronze stars for valor are marked with a special \u201cV.\u201d <\/p>\n

Users on social media have reposted the video to highlight the administration\u2019s blunder. <\/p>\n

\u201cThat video misleads the public, disrespects those who\u2019ve earned valor citations, and weaponizes military honor for political branding,\u201d one user said. <\/p>\n

\"U.S.Pete Hegseth received two Bronze star medals for meritorious service. AL DRAGO\/Al Drago\/Pool\/REUTERS <\/p>\n

\u201cDeleting the video was the right call, but it never should\u2019ve been posted with that false claim to begin with. Words matter. Valor and meritorious service are not the same, especially to those who\u2019ve actually risked their lives under fire. Pete inflating his record, even by mistake, disrespects those whose Bronze Stars were earned in the heat of battle,\u201d another chimed in. <\/p>\n

Hegseth has jumped on the \u201cDepartment of War\u201d bandwagon, touting the name change in a promo video<\/a> while awkwardly reading from a script. <\/p>\n

\u201cThis name change is not just about renaming; it\u2019s about restoring,\u201d Hegseth said. \u201cIt\u2019s going to fight to win, not not to lose [sic]. We\u2019re going to go on offense, not just on defense.\u201d<\/p>\n

The name change is a secondary title given that the president does not have the power to rename a government department. Congress must approve any name change. <\/p>\n