Donald Trump Jr. just booted a former Pentagon spokesman from the MAGA movement after a brutal op-ed targeted Trump’s Defense Department. With firings, leaks, and power plays, the stakes in this internal war are higher than ever.
Trump Jr. Draws the Line in MAGA Feud
Ullyot, once a high-level spokesman for the Pentagon, resigned and quickly penned a blistering opinion piece blaming Hegseth for chaos at the Department of Defense. The article called for Hegseth’s resignation and cited the dismissal of three senior staffers as proof of dysfunction.
Trump Jr. responded with a fiery post on X, saying Ullyot had “worked his ass off to subvert my father’s agenda” and is “officially exiled from our movement.” Allies like Arthur Schwartz piled on, branding Ullyot as “universally regarded in Trumpworld as an incompetent buffoon.”
. @SecDef Anyone who knows John (Ullyot) knows why we let him go. pic.twitter.com/J5oKkVmv8n
— DOD Rapid Response (@DODResponse) April 22, 2025
Firings Trigger Internal MAGA Shakeup
The fired officials—Sergio de la Peña, Chris Barkley, and Edward Grindstaff—were allegedly involved in a leak campaign against Hegseth. Hegseth’s office says the decision to remove them was based on security concerns and disloyalty.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters the administration would not tolerate “individuals who leak to the mainstream media.” She emphasized that the firings were part of a broader effort to secure internal operations and stop anti-Trump interference.
This guy is not America First. I’ve been hearing for years that he works his ass off to subvert my father’s agenda. That ends today. He’s officially exiled from our movement. https://t.co/C2JnnIPt0y
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) April 21, 2025
White House Doubles Down on Hegseth Support
Hegseth defended his actions, saying he had no choice but to remove those who were undermining his leadership. He directly accused Ullyot of spreading false stories to weaken Trump’s reform efforts at the Pentagon.
White House officials say President Trump remains fully behind Hegseth and views the criticism as part of a coordinated smear campaign. The move sends a clear message: the Trump administration is cracking down on internal opposition and protecting the MAGA mission from within.
As the movement tightens its ranks, loyalty to President Trump and his America First vision remains the dividing line.