A PBS reporter was ripped over a tone-deaf complaint that Secretary of War Pete Hegseth did not take questions from the press.
The criticism from PBS White House correspondent Liz Landers came as Hegseth and other top administration officials, including President Donald Trump, were being evacuated from the White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton. The emergency evacuations came after a gunman opened fire outside the ballroom where the event was taking place.
“Hegseth moving through hallway back near the stage of the correspondent’s dinner – did not take questions from press,” wrote Landers, who is rumored to be dating former CNN host Jim Acosta, though neither party has confirmed the relationship.
Jim Acosta’s girlfriend fails what I call The Charlie Kirk Test for the news media…
When an unpredictable, horrible news event takes place, can you be a normal human being for even a few moments, or is there an instinctual or purposeful decision to be a jerk? https://t.co/nPwGvxCoNB
— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) April 26, 2026
“Is the president okay?” the reporter can be heard asking as Hegseth was being hurried through the crowd by security. “Mr. Secretary, is the president going back to the dinner?”
The gunman, identified as Cole Tomas Allen, was apprehended after he bypassed a security checkpoint at the hotel and opened fire, hitting a Secret Service agent. Inside the ballroom, guests crouched under tables as armed security swept into the room.
Landers’ post about Hegseth’s failure to stop mid-evacuation and hold a press conference was buried under immediate backlash on social media.
“I assume this was stating facts and not complaining that he did not…this was hardly the time to hold a press conference as people are being evacuated and no one knows if someone else in the crowd with a gun,” wrote Newsmax anchor Greta Van Susteren.
“How dare he?” questioned another X user in a sarcastic response mirrored by many.
And this is why Americans can’t stand the press.
Right here.
They have only themselves to blame.— Diana Villiers (@DianaVilliers1) April 26, 2026
One more example of why we don’t want a dime of our taxes funding @PBS . Btw, are they off the taxpayers dole yet? Did that already happen?
— Sarah T (@Sarah6t) April 26, 2026
Only someone dumb enough to date @Acosta would think it appropriate to pester the VP during an active shooter evacuation.
You vacuous mass.
— Mark (@UncoverFacts) April 26, 2026
What is wrong with you people
— Not the Bee (@Not_the_Bee) April 26, 2026
Imagine! There’s an assassination attempt and he won’t stop to talk to you. Are you really that entitled? Or completely in over your head?
— DelilahM (@delilahmused) April 26, 2026
Have you lost your f’in mind? Go face a mirror until you realize how skewed your priorities are.
— Boomerang 7 (@GeorgeClogston) April 26, 2026
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida. Powers also contributes to BizPac Review.
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