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Protesters repeatedly interrupt Hegseth at Army conference in Washington

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Coverage spectrum

Covered by 10 outlets, mostly right-leaning (60%).

12 articles in total. The spectrum counts each outlet once and leaves opinion out. How we measure bias

Protesters repeatedly interrupted Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday during a panel at the Association of the U.S. Army’s annual meeting in Washington, shouting at him over the war with Iran. Security removed several protesters from the room. The outlets differ on the count: Just the News reports at least five interruptions in the first half hour, and The Daily Beast reports four in four minutes. Protesters called him a “war criminal” and a “coward.” Hegseth responded with laughter and sarcastic remarks, and according to Just the News he said the protest appeared to be coordinated.

Headline and summary written by Mantle’s AI from the coverage below, under published rules. How this works

What happened

Key points

Each point shows who reports it, from Far Left to Far Right.

  1. Protesters repeatedly interrupted Pete Hegseth on a panel at the Association of the U.S. Army’s annual meeting in Washington on Wednesday.

    Across the spectrumReported byFar Left2Center2Right3Far Right3See the outletsHide the outlets
    Far Left
    The New Republic, The Daily Beast
    Center
    PBS NewsHour, The Hill
    Right
    New York Post, The Washington Times, Daily Mail
    Far Right
    Just the News, The Daily Caller, Fox News

  2. Protesters shouted at Hegseth over the war with Iran and were called anti-war demonstrators.

    Reported byFar Left2Center1Right2Far Right2See the outletsHide the outlets
    Far Left
    The New Republic, The Daily Beast
    Center
    The Hill
    Right
    New York Post, The Washington Times
    Far Right
    Just the News, Fox News

  3. Security removed protesters from the room, one by one, during the panel.

    Reported byFar Left1Right1Far Right1See the outletsHide the outlets
    Far Left
    The New Republic
    Right
    The Washington Times
    Far Right
    Just the News

  4. Protesters called Hegseth a war criminal and a coward, according to outlets that quoted them.

    Reported byFar Left2Center1Right3Far Right3See the outletsHide the outlets
    Far Left
    The New Republic, The Daily Beast
    Center
    The Hill
    Right
    New York Post, The Washington Times, Daily Mail
    Far Right
    Just the News, The Daily Caller, Fox News

  5. The panel discussed autonomous weapons and drone warfare, and Hegseth spoke about the future of that warfare.

    Reported byFar Left1Center2Right2Far Right1See the outletsHide the outlets
    Far Left
    The New Republic
    Center
    PBS NewsHour, The Hill
    Right
    New York Post, The Washington Times
    Far Right
    Fox News

  6. Hegseth responded with laughter and sarcastic remarks, and according to Just the News said the protest appeared to be coordinated.

    One outletJust the News· Far Right

What is contested

Where accounts differ

Points the coverage does not agree on, and who says what.

  • The number of protest interruptions during Hegseth’s panel.

    Just the News reports at least five interruptions in the first half hour; The Daily Beast reports four in four minutes; The New Republic reports at least six protesters were removed.

  • The protest was coordinated.

    Just the News reports Hegseth said the protest appeared to be coordinated; The New Republic reports those onstage called it a semi-coordinated effort.

How each side tells it

Compare views

Every side reports anti-war protesters repeatedly interrupted Pete Hegseth at an Army Association panel in Washington on Wednesday. Right-side headlines stress the insults and disruption, left-side headlines stress the protesters’ anti-war message and Hegseth’s calm response, and center headlines report the interruptions plainly.

  • the left

    2 outlets

    Left headlines center Hegseth’s calm or joking response and the protesters’ anti-war call, while The Daily Beast mocks his Fox comparison rather than the protest itself.

    Anti-War Protesters Interrupt Hegseth, Call Him a “Loaded modifier“Coward”A personal insult that the headline presents prominently; it is the protesters’ word, attributed to them in quotation marks.More neutral: called Hegseth namesThese are Anti-War Protesters’s words. The outlet is reporting them.Disagree with this highlight?”
    The New RepublicFar LeftAll left-leaning headlines

  • the center

    2 outlets

    Center headlines report plainly that Hegseth was heckled or interrupted by anti-war protesters at the Army conference, with PBS using wire wording that protesters shouted at him.

    Hegseth Loaded verb“heckled”Heckled implies the protesters were unruly, while interrupted describes the same events neutrally and is used by other outlets.More neutral: interruptedDisagree with this highlight? by anti-war protesters at Army conference
    The HillCenterAll center headlines

  • the right

    6 outlets

    Right headlines mostly lead with the disruption and the insults, with Fox News calling protesters foul-mouthed and Daily Mail calling Hegseth embattled, while the New York Post stresses his cheeky reply.

    Loaded modifier“Foul-mouthed”Describes the protesters by their language, a judgement beyond the disruption the headline reports.More neutral: Anti-war protestersDisagree with this highlight? anti-war protesters repeatedly Loaded verb“derail”Derail implies the remarks were thrown off course, a judgement about the effect of the protest.More neutral: interruptDisagree with this highlight? Hegseth's remarks at Army event in DC
    Fox NewsFar RightAll right-leaning headlines

The words they chose

Language to notice

Words that carry a judgement beyond the facts. Tap a highlighted word anywhere on the page to see why.

  • Left2

    controversialbonkers

  • Center1

    heckled

  • Right11

    crashedIn a coordinated effortScreambranded

In the outlets’ own words

  • Loaded verb

    crashedMore neutral: interrupted

    Crashed frames the protest as a forceful intrusion, while the article describes a sequenced series of interruptions.

    Multiple Iran War protestors have crashed Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s Wednesday roundtable on Autonomous Warfare at the…

    Used byThe Daily Caller (Far Right)

  • Absolutist framing

    In a coordinated effortMore neutral: Six protesters took turns

    States coordination as established fact in the outlet’s own voice, while a panelist at the event called the protests semi-coordinated.

    In a coordinated effort, six different protesters took turns interrupting Hegseth’s panel at the…

    Used byThe Daily Caller (Far Right)

  • Loaded verb

    ScreamMore neutral: shout at

    Scream implies a level of distress beyond the shouting the article describes.

    ‘You’re A War Criminal!’ Protesters Scream At Hegseth During Army Conference In DC

    Used byThe Daily Caller (Far Right)

  • Loaded verb

    brandedMore neutral: called

    Branded adds a sense of stigma beyond reporting that protesters called him a name.

    Protesters branded Pete Hegseth a "war criminal" and "coward" at his AUSA panel focused on Project…

    Used byFox News (Far Right)

Show 10 more phrasesShow fewer

  • Loaded modifier

    foul-mouthedMore neutral: anti-war

    Describes the protesters by their language, a judgement beyond the disruption the article reports.

    At least five times in the first half hour of a panel, foul-mouthed anti-war protesters shouted at Hegseth, calling him a "f---ing Nazi" among other…

    Used byFox News (Far Right)

  • Loaded verb

    derailMore neutral: interrupt

    Derail implies the remarks were thrown off course, a judgement about the effect of the protest.

    Foul-mouthed anti-war protesters repeatedly derail Hegseth's remarks at Army event in DC

    Used byFox News (Far Right)

  • Sensational language

    historicMore neutral: the Pentagon budget request

    Calls the budget request historic, a judgement made in the outlet’s own voice rather than a neutral description.

    …Washington to express confidence that Congress will deliver on President Trump's historic Pentagon budget request, regardless of how the November midterm elections play out.

    Used byThe Washington Times (Right)

  • Loaded verb

    eruptedMore neutral: shouted

    Erupted suggests an explosive outburst, more dramatic than reported shouting.

    Multiple protesters erupted in shouts decrying Secretary of War Pete Hegseth as a 'war criminal' and a 'Nazi' at…

    Used byDaily Mail (Right)

  • Sensational language

    screamsMore neutral: shouts

    Screams heightens the reported shouting into a more dramatic description.

    …speaking at the Army conference in Washington, DC, Hegseth was interrupted with screams at least five times during the first 30 minutes of his panel.

    Used byDaily Mail (Right)

  • Loaded modifier

    EmbattledMore neutral: War Secretary

    Pre-judges Hegseth’s political standing without a stated basis in the article.

    Embattled War Secretary Pete Hegseth viciously interrupted with shouts of 'Nazi' during Army…

    Used byDaily Mail (Right)

  • Sensational language

    viciouslyMore neutral: repeatedly

    Adds an assessment of the protesters’ manner that the reported shouting does not establish.

    Embattled War Secretary Pete Hegseth viciously interrupted with shouts of 'Nazi' during Army event

    Used byDaily Mail (Right)

  • Loaded modifier

    controversialMore neutral: Pentagon chief

    “Controversial” labels Hegseth before the facts are weighed.

    The controversial Pentagon chief was interrupted four times in four minutes as he headlined the…

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

  • Sensational language

    bonkersMore neutral: unusual

    “Bonkers” is an insult that judges the comparison rather than describing it.

    Under Fire Hegseth Makes Bonkers Comparison to Being on Fox

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

  • Loaded verb

    heckledMore neutral: interrupted

    Heckled implies the protesters were unruly, while interrupted describes the same events neutrally and is used by other outlets.

    Hegseth heckled by anti-war protesters at Army conference

    Used byThe Hill (Center)

Words quoted from someone else (4)Hide the quoted words

Loaded words that outlets reported someone else saying. They show what was said, not how the outlet chose to say it.

  • Loaded modifier

    Quoted

    war criminalMore neutral: describe the alleged act and any charge or ruling

    A legal finding; attribute it unless a court has ruled.

    …of the war in Iran and in support of Palestine, the protesters called Hegseth a "war criminal, a "coward," and a "f---king Nazi," Fox News reported.

    Quoted byJust the News (Far Right)The Daily Caller (Far Right)Fox News (Far Right)Daily Mail (Right)and 1 more

    Inside a quotation: the outlets are reporting someone else’s words.

  • Dehumanizing label

    Quoted

    f---king NaziMore neutral: called Hegseth a Nazi

    A profane insult calling the Defense Secretary a Nazi; the words are the protesters’ and are attributed to them in the quotation.

    …of Palestine, the protesters called Hegseth a "war criminal, a "coward," and a "f---king Nazi," Fox News reported.

    Quoted byJust the News (Far Right)

    These are Anti-war protesters’s words. The outlets are reporting them.

  • Loaded modifier

    Quoted

    CowardMore neutral: called Hegseth names

    A personal insult that the headline presents prominently; it is the protesters’ word, attributed to them in quotation marks.

    Anti-War Protesters Interrupt Hegseth, Call Him a “Coward”

    Quoted byThe New Republic (Far Left)

    These are Anti-War Protesters’s words. The outlets are reporting them.

  • Dehumanizing label

    Quoted

    war criminalMore neutral: accused by protesters of war crimes

    “War criminal” assigns a criminal label to Hegseth, and it is an accusation by protesters rather than a finding.

    …the event on Wednesday, with protestors describing him as a “coward” and a “war criminal.” Read more at The Daily Beast.

    Quoted byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

    These are the protesters’s words. The outlets are reporting them.

See the full language guide

See for yourself

Side by side

What each side leads with and what it leaves out. Open a side to read its headlines.

From the left

2 outlets

Leads with

  • protesters calling Hegseth a coward
  • Hegseth’s calm and joking response
  • anti-war message on Iran and Gaza

Leaves out

  • Pentagon budget request and midterm elections

Reported by other sides, not found in this side’s coverage.

See the 2 headlines from the leftHide the headlines
  • The Daily BeastFar Left

    Under Fire Hegseth Makes Sensational language“Bonkers”“Bonkers” is an insult that judges the comparison rather than describing it.More neutral: unusualDisagree with this highlight? Comparison to Being on Fox

    Pete Hegseth sought to brush off repeated disruptions by protestors during a warfare event in Washington by reminiscing about his time as a co-host on Fox & Friends . …

    Read at The Daily Beast (opens in a new tab)
  • The New RepublicFar Left

    Anti-War Protesters Interrupt Hegseth, Call Him a “Loaded modifier“Coward”A personal insult that the headline presents prominently; it is the protesters’ word, attributed to them in quotation marks.More neutral: called Hegseth namesThese are Anti-War Protesters’s words. The outlet is reporting them.Disagree with this highlight?”

    At least six different anti–Iran war protesters were removed from the Association of the United States Army conference on Wednesday for interrupting Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during his remarks on a drone panel. …

    Read at The New Republic (opens in a new tab)

From the center

2 outlets

Leads with

  • protesters’ war-crimes accusations
  • Hegseth on the autonomous warfare panel
  • anti-war protests at the Army conference
See the 2 headlines from the centerHide the headlines
  • The HillCenter

    Hegseth Loaded verb“heckled”Heckled implies the protesters were unruly, while interrupted describes the same events neutrally and is used by other outlets.More neutral: interruptedDisagree with this highlight? by anti-war protesters at Army conference

    Anti-war protesters disrupted Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth several times while he spoke at the U.S. Army’s annual convention in Washington, D.C., accusing him of war crimes and condemning U.S. military operations abroad. …

    Read at The Hill (opens in a new tab)
  • PBS NewsHourCenterAssociated Press report

    WATCH: Hegseth discusses drone warfare at U.S. Army conference

    Protesters shouted at Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other military leaders on Wednesday as they spoke at a panel on drones during the U.S. Army's annual conference in Washington.

    Read at PBS NewsHour (opens in a new tab)

From the right

6 outlets

Leads with

  • protesters’ insults such as Nazi and war criminal
  • disruption of Hegseth’s remarks
  • Hegseth’s jokes and cheeky reply
  • Pentagon budget request

Leaves out

  • protester remarks about children killed in Gaza

Reported by other sides, not found in this side’s coverage.

See the 6 headlines from the rightHide the headlines
  • Daily MailRight

    Loaded modifier“Embattled”Pre-judges Hegseth’s political standing without a stated basis in the article.More neutral: War SecretaryDisagree with this highlight? War Secretary Pete Hegseth Sensational language“viciously”Adds an assessment of the protesters’ manner that the reported shouting does not establish.More neutral: repeatedlyDisagree with this highlight? interrupted with shouts of 'Nazi' during Army event

    Multiple protesters Loaded verb“erupted”Erupted suggests an explosive outburst, more dramatic than reported shouting.More neutral: shoutedDisagree with this highlight? in shouts decrying Secretary of War Pete Hegseth as a 'Loaded modifier“war criminal”A legal finding; attribute it unless a court has ruled.More neutral: describe the alleged act and any charge or rulingThis appears inside a quotation. The outlet is reporting someone else’s words.Disagree with this highlight?' and a 'Nazi' at a military conference on Wednesday.

    Read at Daily Mail (opens in a new tab)
  • The Washington TimesRight

    Anti-war protesters repeatedly disrupt Hegseth's autonomous-warfare panel at Army conference

    Anti-war demonstrators repeatedly interrupted War Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday during a panel on autonomous weapons at the Association of the U.S. Army's annual meeting, shouting at him over the Iran war until security removed them from the room.

    Read at The Washington Times (opens in a new tab)
    1 more from The Washington Times
  • Fox NewsFar Right

    Loaded modifier“Foul-mouthed”Describes the protesters by their language, a judgement beyond the disruption the headline reports.More neutral: Anti-war protestersDisagree with this highlight? anti-war protesters repeatedly Loaded verb“derail”Derail implies the remarks were thrown off course, a judgement about the effect of the protest.More neutral: interruptDisagree with this highlight? Hegseth's remarks at Army event in DC

    Protesters Loaded verb“branded”Branded adds a sense of stigma beyond reporting that protesters called him a name.More neutral: calledDisagree with this highlight? Pete Hegseth a "Loaded modifier“war criminal”A legal finding; attribute it unless a court has ruled.More neutral: describe the alleged act and any charge or rulingThis appears inside a quotation. The outlet is reporting someone else’s words.Disagree with this highlight?" and "coward" at his AUSA panel focused on Project Agincourt and autonomous weapons systems.

    Read at Fox News (opens in a new tab)

    Also published by New York Post. It counts once.

  • The Daily CallerFar Right

    ‘You’re A Loaded modifier“War Criminal”A legal finding; attribute it unless a court has ruled.More neutral: describe the alleged act and any charge or rulingThis appears inside a quotation. The outlet is reporting someone else’s words.Disagree with this highlight?!’ Protesters Loaded verb“Scream”Scream implies a level of distress beyond the shouting the article describes.More neutral: shout atDisagree with this highlight? At Hegseth During Army Conference In DC

    Multiple Iran War protestors have Loaded verb“crashed”Crashed frames the protest as a forceful intrusion, while the article describes a sequenced series of interruptions.More neutral: interruptedDisagree with this highlight? Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s Wednesday roundtable on Autonomous Warfare at the Association of the United States Army conference. …

    Read at The Daily Caller (opens in a new tab)
  • Just the NewsFar Right

    Anti-war protesters disrupt Hegseth's speech during Army event in DC

    The protesters interrupted the panel at least five times in the first half hour of the panel discussion. They were spread throughout the room and waited a few minutes between their outbursts.

    Read at Just the News (opens in a new tab)
    1 more from Just the News
  • New York PostRightFox News report

    Pete Hegseth cheekily responds to anti-Iran war protesters who heckled him at Army conference

    New York Post published a report that is shown in full at Fox News. The headline is the one New York Post gave it.

    Read at New York Post (opens in a new tab)

Articles you open from here build My Mix, a private picture of how your reading spreads across the spectrum, kept on this device. What is My Mix?

The left is Far Left and Left together. The right is Right and Far Right together. Every outlet keeps its own five-point rating.

Who reported it when

How the coverage built up

  • Left

    2 hr 21 min later

    Its first report, Oct 14, 1:22 PM EDT

  • Center

    1 hr 54 min later

    Its first report, Oct 14, 12:56 PM EDT

  • Right

    First to report

    The Daily Caller, Oct 14, 11:01 AM EDT

See the order the outlets reported inHide the order
  1. The Daily CallerFar RightOct 14, 11:01 AM EDT
  2. Fox NewsFar RightOct 14, 11:21 AM EDT
  3. The Washington TimesRightOct 14, 12:11 PM EDT
  4. Daily MailRightOct 14, 12:51 PM EDT
  5. PBS NewsHourCenterOct 14, 12:56 PM EDT
  6. The New RepublicFar LeftOct 14, 1:22 PM EDT
  7. New York PostRightOct 14, 1:28 PM EDT
  8. The Daily BeastFar LeftOct 14, 1:52 PM EDT
  9. The HillCenterOct 14, 2:20 PM EDT

Times are the ones the outlets published in their own feeds, in Eastern time. Opinion is left out. Just the News gave only a date, so it is not placed.

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