Hegseth demanded a world globe; staff dropped it during the move

A move ends in damage

Hegseth wanted the globe, but his staff reportedly chose not to wait for help from military historians, who were furloughed at the time. During the move, staff lost control of the artifact and dropped it onto its base.

The impact left a gash several inches across near Antarctica. The globe’s spherical section also came away from the metal mount that allows it to rotate, Surridge said. It has not been moved again.

Pentagon responds to damage

Pentagon officials denied The Washington Post’s request for a photograph or an in-person examination, though the newspaper later obtained pictures through other means. A Defense Department spokesperson told The Post, “Accidents happen. We are grateful no one was harmed, and the globe is being repaired.” The incident also became a source of behind-the-scenes gossip and jokes.

Eisenhower and the globes

Dwight Eisenhower, a five-star general, was known for using globes to illustrate strategy and posing with them in photographs from the 1940s. He helped coordinate D-Day and other major combat operations in the defeat of Nazi Germany.

Hegseth is said to have an affinity for World War II history, as does President Donald Trump. Another similar globe on display in the office reportedly bears pen markings by Eisenhower and Gen. Omar Bradley.