Pentagon defends hosting Jake and Logan Paul
Federal department, speaking through Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Joel Valdez
“The Department of War was proud to host Jake and Logan Paul at the Pentagon this week.”
Source and context
Reporting
About this source
Reports the September 17 Pentagon visit, the brothers’ remarks, their brief meeting with Pete Hegseth, the Pentagon’s official response, and that they paid their own transportation costs. It states that the purpose of the visit was unclear.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
In response to questions from Task & Purpose about the visit, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Joel Valdez issued a written statement on the department’s behalf.
After the quotation
Valdez said the department appreciated the brothers’ support of the military; the outlet reported that their travel was not paid for by the department.
How this statement is classified
Responding to: The Pentagon’s decision to host Jake and Logan Paul, place them in an official briefing-room setting, and have them address service members was an appropriate form of military outreach and appreciation.
The label describes this statement’s response within the context above.
Why this label?
Relative to the fixed case reference point—the Pentagon’s decision to host and publicly showcase the brothers addressing service members—the department expressly approves the decision rather than merely confirming that the visit occurred.
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