In a post on Truth Social, President Donald Trump referred to Fox News host Pete Hegseth as the “Secretary of War,” a title not used in over eight decades. Trump’s comment followed a Fox News segment where Hegseth discussed modern military strategies and technology. The president’s praise for Hegseth sparked discussions about reviving the old cabinet title, which was replaced in 1947 by the Secretary of Defense.

Trump first floated the idea of the title change during the NATO summit, where he reflected on historical uses of “Secretary of War.” He referenced President Harry Truman, who was the last to appoint someone under that title—Kenneth Royall. After the Department of War was disbanded in 1947, new branches like the Department of the Army and the Air Force were created, and the Secretary of Defense role became standard.

Speaking at the summit in The Hague, Trump explained the reasoning behind his remarks. “Maybe for a couple of weeks we’ll call it that because we feel like warriors,” he said. He added that the building next to the White House still bears the original title. Trump criticized the name “Secretary of Defense” as a product of political correctness.

Liberal critics on social media quickly condemned the suggestion, calling it unserious and historically misguided. They pointed out that any official title change would require congressional involvement and questioned Trump’s grasp of military history and constitutional procedure.

Critics also noted the contradiction in Trump’s rhetoric, given his previous anti-war campaign platform and populist messaging.