Jake and Logan Paul’s Pentagon appearance draws public criticism
Social-media stars Jake and Logan Paul toured the Pentagon and addressed service members on September 17, prompting a wave of online backlash.
On September 17, Jake and Logan Paul entered the Pentagon, toured the facility, visited the September 11 Memorial and addressed assembled service members before meeting Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. During the briefing, Logan praised the troops’ willingness to sacrifice, while Jake offered encouragement and patriotic remarks. The brothers also met Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who highlighted Jake’s rise from content creator to entrepreneur.
The Department of Defense posted the footage three days later, igniting a surge of criticism online, with many users questioning why non-military influencers were given a platform at the nation’s defense headquarters. Observers noted the visit fits a broader pattern of the Pentagon using high-profile figures for morale-building, but the lack of clear policy justification fueled speculation about the motives behind the event. The episode coincides with the Paul brothers’ expanding media deals, including a new fight-competition series with Hulu and one outlet.
