’60 Minutes’ Dragged Over Season Premiere’s Pete Hegseth Interview
Viewers have been following months of shakeups at 60 Minutes. Thanks to this, all eyes were on the program when it recently premiered Season 59. However, one segment that helped start off the new season has since drawn backlash online.
Pete Hegseth Spoke With Norah O’Donnell During 60 Minutes‘ Season 59 Debut
60 Minutes recently returned for Season 59, airing on September 13, 2026. The debut already came with national attention as it followed months of changes to the program since the installation of Bari Weiss as CBS News’ editor-in-chief.
This has included various figures being ousted from the program, including Tanya Simon, Sharyn Alfonsi, and Cecilia Vega. Other figures had also announced their own exit, such as Anderson Cooper, who left 60 Minutes after 20 years.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was interviewed by Norah O’Donnell, who recently made her official return to CBS Mornings, during this season’s debut. In addition to serving as the 29th United States secretary of defense, a position he has held since 2025, Hegseth is also known for his contributions to Fox News, co-hosting Fox & Friends Weekend.
Sources Claimed That Hegseth Himself Had ‘Pushed For’ The Segment
The recent 60 Minutes segment focused on the U.S. military operation that rescued an F-15 weapons systems officer stranded in Iran. During the moment, he described, when discussing the search, “I don’t know if the needle in the haystack does it justice.”
According to Radar Online, the secretary reportedly “pushed for” the exchange. However, the segment drew criticism on social media after the program aired, with many dubbing it “state TV” and “total propaganda.” In particular, Weiss was especially singled out in some of the criticisms.
“I don’t know if the needle in the haystack does it justice,” says Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth of the difficulty of locating a U.S. Air Force officer concealing himself in a mountainous part of Iran. https://t.co/IzHPpYgqBB pic.twitter.com/zBPIkMpWiL
— 60 Minutes (@60Minutes) September 14, 2026
The news program has since uploaded clips of the interview on social media, allowing commenters to share their reactions. Some comments included:
- “Pathetic 60 Minutes, you tried so hard to make Pete Hegseth look like a brave, heroic leader. It looks like a total propaganda piece.”
- “Can’t imagine watching 60 Minutes ever until Weiss resigns. Toxic, pathetic, sellout.”
- “Wow, riveting stuff from a bunch of sellouts. Do yourself a favor, y’all, and turn this propaganda off.”
- “As if I needed proof why I will no longer watch this show. Every correspondent on it should be ashamed of themselves.”
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth tells 60 Minutes that news of a U.S. fighter jet being shot down over Iran woke him in the middle of the night. His first thought: “S***.” pic.twitter.com/8Dt1iqZ91G
— 60 Minutes (@60Minutes) September 13, 2026
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