Key facts
- US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth posted a photo on X mocking members of a Canadian youth development program.
- The photo was taken from an Instagram post by the Vernon Cadet Training Centre in British Columbia.
- Critics noted the subjects were teenagers and not front-line military personnel.
- Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney described the post as "beneath the office" of the defense secretary.
- Hegseth has previously made critical remarks about the physical fitness of US military personnel.
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth faced widespread criticism for a social media post that appeared to body-shame members of a Canadian youth development program. The post, shared on X, featured a photograph of two individuals in uniform with a Canadian flag and the caption "this is real," which critics interpreted as an attempt to mock Canada's armed forces amidst ongoing trade disputes.
The photograph was reportedly sourced from an Instagram post by the Vernon Cadet Training Centre in British Columbia, which hosts summer camps for teenagers. Critics pointed out that the individuals in the photo were not members of Canada's front-line military, and the person Hegseth seemed to be ridiculing was likely a volunteer instructor, with the girl receiving a medal being no older than 18.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney condemned the post, stating it was "beneath the office" of the secretary of defense and urged Washington to "start being serious" about deescalating trade tensions. David Eby, the premier of British Columbia, described the incident as indicative of "amateur-hour, distracted, bizarre leadership" in the US.
The civilian Army Cadet League of Canada accused Hegseth of online harassment, calling his commentary "unacceptable." Former Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger and Democratic Senator Ruben Gallego also criticized the post, with Kinzinger calling it "stupid" and "disrespectful."
The Pentagon, through Deputy Press Secretary Jacob Bliss, defended Hegseth's post, stating, "The X post speaks for itself."
The incident occurs as Hegseth faces other pressures, including the recent resignation of US Army Chief Dan Driscoll and accusations from Democrats that Hegseth has "hollowed out" the military's senior ranks. Hegseth has previously voiced criticism regarding the physical fitness of US military personnel, remarking that "fat troops are tiring to look at."