Fact Check: Trump, 79, Mocked for Imagining He Saw Hegseth Live on Fox

Published July 21, 2025

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VERDICT

True

# Fact Check: Trump, 79, Mocked for Imagining He Saw Hegseth Live on Fox ## What We Know On July 11, 2025, former President Donald Trump posted on Tr...

Fact Check: Trump, 79, Mocked for Imagining He Saw Hegseth Live on Fox

What We Know

On July 11, 2025, former President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social, expressing his admiration for Pete Hegseth, whom he referred to as "Secretary of War," claiming that Hegseth had appeared live on Fox News that morning. Trump stated, “Secretary of War Pete Hegseth was great on Fox News this morning, talking about modern weapons and warfare” (Yahoo, The Daily Beast). However, Hegseth did not appear live on the network; instead, Fox News aired a clip from a video Hegseth had posted on his social media account the previous day (OK Magazine). The network clearly indicated that the video was recorded on July 10, 2025, and aired it multiple times before Trump's post (The Daily Beast, Yahoo).

Analysis

The claim that Trump mistakenly believed Hegseth was live on Fox News is supported by multiple sources. Trump's post was widely criticized online, with commentators suggesting that his confusion may be indicative of cognitive decline (The Daily Beast, OK Magazine). For instance, journalist Aaron Rupar remarked, “Perhaps a confused Trump thought it was live,” while others noted the broader implications of such a mistake, especially given Trump's age (The Daily Beast).

The sources reporting on this incident, including Yahoo and The Daily Beast, are generally considered reliable, as they are established news outlets with a history of political reporting. However, it is important to note that the coverage may carry a degree of bias, particularly in the framing of Trump's cognitive abilities. The criticism from social media users and political commentators reflects a broader narrative surrounding Trump's age and mental acuity, which has been a point of contention in public discourse (OK Magazine).

Conclusion

The claim that Trump, at 79, was mocked for believing he saw Hegseth live on Fox is True. Evidence from multiple credible sources confirms that Trump misinterpreted a pre-recorded clip as a live broadcast, leading to widespread ridicule and concern regarding his cognitive state. The incident highlights ongoing discussions about Trump's age and mental fitness, particularly in the context of his public statements.

Sources

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