Newsmax’s Greg Kelly Goes Scorched Earth On Pete Hegseth

Newsmax host Greg Kelly criticized Secretary of War Pete Hegseth Friday over the firing of Secretary of the Navy John Phelan.

Phelan’s immediate departure from the administration was announced Wednesday, with Undersecretary of the Navy Hung Cao stepping in as acting secretary. Kelly accused Hegseth of having “lied and conned” his way through life in a Friday X post. (RELATED: CENTCOM Releases Video Showing US Navy ‘Blowing A Hole’ In Cargo Vessel Attempting To Defy Blockade)

“What a DESPICABLE guy Hegseth is. Frustrated that he can’t remove his Real Nemesis, the Army Secretary, He Fires the NAVY Secretary, has him ‘walked out of the building’ by security. But this was NOT an Urgent matter,” Kelly posted. “Could have given the SECNAV a month, maybe 2 weeks notice. You know, The DECENT thing to do.”

What a DESPICABLE guy Hegseth is. Frustrated that he can’t remove his Real Nemesis, the Army Secretary, He Fires the NAVY Secretary, has him “walked out of the building” by security. But this was NOT an Urgent matter. Could have given the SECNAV a month, maybe 2 weeks notice.… pic.twitter.com/1DY5iOjJBx

— Greg Kelly (@gregkellyusa) April 24, 2026

“Instead this Insecure FAKE, who Lied and Conned his way thru Life (see Mom) and the Trump admin (see ‘confidential settlement’ ie Blackmail of accuser #1) Blows up Someone Else’s life bc he can’t Handle his own. Not CUTE anymore,” Kelly continued.

The Department of War referred the Daily Caller News Foundation to a Wednesday post on X by chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell. Kelly did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the DCNF.

In an X post on Wednesday, Kelly appeared to have a different view of Phelan being “fired.”

“WOW! Secretary of the Navy FIRED!  You know I have my ‘differences’ with PETE, but given the timing, I bet HEGSETH had a VERY good reason to “Jettison” that guy.  Disloyal? Rooting for the EMEMY?” Kelly posted.

Phelan’s firing came days after the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Spruance disabled and seized an Iranian vessel trying to run the blockade imposed by President Donald Trump.

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