911 call shows US defense chief tried to get to hospital with no fanfare

By Ayse Irem Tiryaki

Following a hospital stay by the US defense secretary that not even the president initially knew about, making headlines and raising eyebrows, new evidence has emerged that Lloyd Austin wanted to keep his condition secret from the start.

On Jan. 1, the person who called 911 to request an ambulance for Austin asked it to arrive without the customary lights or sirens, according to audio recordings.

In recordings of the 911 calls, released by NBC News, an unidentified individual can be heard saying: "Can the ambulance not show up with lights and sirens? We're trying to remain a little subtle."

The recording said Austin mentioned feeling like he was going to faint, although he did not experience chest pain. Austin was hospitalized with complications from prostate cancer treatment, the Pentagon announced on Jan. 5.

Some portions of the recording have been censored, said NBC news.

Austin, 70, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2022 and underwent surgery on Dec. 22. He was released from the hospital the following day, but was readmitted on Jan. 1 after experiencing complications.

The Pentagon initially withheld information about Austin's hospitalization from the White House and other senior officials, prompting criticism from members of Congress and the public.

In a statement, Austin said he was "grateful for the care I have received from the medical professionals" at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and looked forward to returning to the Pentagon as quickly as possible.

Austin was released from the hospital this Monday.