Pete Hegseth misspoke during his Memorial Day speech (Image: Getty)
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth made an unintentional mistake during his Memorial Day speech.
On May 25, Fox News interrupted its regular programming and live-streamed the defense secretary at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. During the Memorial Day ceremony, Hegseth, 45, delivered the keynote speech honoring America’s fallen service members. He also participated with Vice President JD Vance, 41, and President Donald Trump, 79, during the wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
However, Hegseth’s speech did not go as planned, as he flubbed his lines. This comes after the defense secretary faced online backlash from his conservative fanbase after delivering his disastrous West Point speech.
Hegseth initially said, “The young American on the battlefield away from home,” as he raised his fist. He continued, “He stayed in combat with loved ones,” before he blurted, “by a…”
He stopped himself abruptly, paused, and looked down at his notes before continuing his speech. Hegesth restarted his line correctly, “He stayed in contact with his loved ones by writing letters.”
Pete Hegseth was mocked for his accidental speech error (Image: X)
Viewers took to social media to mock Hegseth’s accidental speech error, cracking jokes about how an individual could be in “combat with loved ones.”
One person brutally wrote, “He never has ANY idea what he’s saying.”
Another person added, “Massive clown. He has zero ability to speak or lead.”
A third cynically wrote, “Hegseth just said the quiet part out loud again.”
Despite the criticism, the Secretary of War did have a supporter who shared, “Yeah, well, you try speaking in front of a crowd. And try not to get your tongue twisted and freeze. A bunch of jerks for making fun of him.”
Pete Hegseth addressed the graduating cadets at West Point (Image: Getty)
Hegseth had already given another speech during Memorial Day weekend on May 23. The defense secretary dropped a controversial statement during his commencement address at the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York.
At first, he addressed the graduating cadets with frank remarks about faith, combat, and warfare. Then, he shifted the speech to identity months, which recognize various awareness periods, including Black History Month and Women’s History Month.
He told them, “You will not compromise. You will not see color. And you will not try to meet arbitrary quotas based on immutable characteristics. You do not have time to celebrate identity months!”
Hegseth added, “And you will not make excuses for yourself! You will not take excuses from others! You will lead!”
During the commencement address, Hegseth also referenced the late Charlie Kirk, the former cofounder of Turning Point USA, while criticizing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs.
“Last and most importantly, seek God,” he urged before continuing, “And know that we are not him. It’s humbling. It’s also liberating. As Charlie Kirk often said, remember always, this too shall pass. The good times will pass, the bad times will pass. You’re never as good as you think you are, nor are you as bad as you think you are. Seek God in every circumstance.”
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