Since coming to power in 2025, Donald Trump and his government have never missed an opportunity to target women, non-white people, immigrants, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and minority groups in the U.S. Their disdain for these groups has never been insidious but rather blatant, reflected in their speeches, comments, social media posts, and activities.
Recently, while addressing several military personnel during a congregation, United States Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (a vocal supporter of Trump and his party) highlighted the need for all people deployed in the military and other defence roles to be held to the “highest male” standards. In case it isn’t clear, Hegseth means to say that there is no place for women in jobs that require physical strength or alertness of mind, suggesting that they are weaker than their male counterparts.
Pete Hegseth continued to speak as he made it clear that he was being serious with what he said. In a really bad attempt at not sounding anti-women, Hegseth said:
“If women can make it, excellent. If not, it is what it is.”
In another bad attempt at hiding his misogyny, Hegseth said:
“It will also mean that weak men won’t qualify — because we’re not playing games. This is combat. This is life or death.”
While Hegseth’s comments at the event did not receive immediate reactions from the crowd, many have expressed their displeasure over them. One of the most notable people to speak out against Hegseth’s remarks is Retired Major General Paul Eaton. In a comment to the Independent, Eaton said that he was “saddened” for the U.S. military as they have to endure such “clueless,” “self aggrandizing civilian leadership,” while referring to Hegseth. He also made additional comments about him, calling him out for not prioritising the welfare of the U.S. military during a period of extreme inflation. He said:
“At a time when American families — military families included — are struggling with exploding inflation, Pete Hegseth spent millions to fly in all of our generals and admirals to rant about facial hair and brag about how many pull-ups he can do, and have Donald Trump sleepwalk through a list of partisan gripes.”
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