Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth appeared to mock participants of Canada’s cadet youth program on social media, Aug. 31, 2026. (X)
Canadian officials and a military organization sharply criticized Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth this week after he shared a photo of a young Canadian cadet and her instructor in a social media post widely interpreted as mocking their appearance.
Hegseth posted the photo Monday with the caption “this is real” alongside a Canadian flag emoji. The image showed a young cadet receiving an award from her obese instructor.
The post drew condemnation in Canada, including from Defense Minister David McGuinty, who told reporters Tuesday that it was “below the dignity” of Hegseth’s office.
“We strongly condemn any online harassment, or mockery of cadets’ achievements,” the Army Cadet League of Canada wrote Tuesday on social media.
“Directing derogatory commentary toward youth who are actively working to better themselves and serve their communities is unacceptable,” the organization added.
Hegseth’s post appeared on the opening day of the Indo-Pacific Chiefs of Defense Conference in British Columbia, co-hosted by the United States and Canada as the two longtime allies navigate an increasingly contentious political and trade relationship.
Hegseth has repeatedly emphasized physical fitness and weight standards since becoming defense secretary.
Speaking to senior military leaders at Quantico last fall, he said it was “completely unacceptable to see fat generals and admirals in the halls of the Pentagon.”
“Frankly, it’s tiring to look out at combat formations, or really any formation, and see fat troops,” Hegseth said at the time.
His post about the Canadian cadets comes amid broader strains between Washington and Ottawa.
President Donald Trump has repeatedly referred to Canada as the “51st state,” while a trade dispute between the neighboring countries has escalated into tariffs and retaliatory measures.
Trade talks broke down last month, and Trump imposed 50% tariffs on many Canadian imports. Canada responded with tariffs of its own.
The deterioration in relations has also prompted Canada to reconsider completing its purchase of 88 F-35 Lightning II stealth fighters from Lockheed Martin.
“We will examine this acquisition in its fullness,” McGuinty said Tuesday.
Despite the political friction, senior officials from both countries say their longstanding military relationship remains intact.
Among the U.S. military leaders who attended the three-day conference were Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joints Chiefs of Staff, and Adm. Samuel Paparo, head of U.S. Pacific Command.
McGuinty dismissed the notion that the trade schism will swamp U.S.-Canada military cooperation.
“I think Canadians can understand the difference between the performative nature of an administration in the United States and … the importance of the military-to-military cooperation, which continues,” he said.
The relationship between uniformed personnel from both nations “runs deep,” said Seth Jones, who specializes in defense strategy and military operations at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C.
“Obviously the political disagreements aren’t helpful, but my understanding right now is that both the military relationship and the intelligence relationship between the U.S. and Canada remain strong on the military side,” he said in a phone interview Tuesday.
It is particularly close via North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, Jones said.
“The reality is that the U.S. and the Canadians are attached at the hip in the defense of North America,” he said. “They are co-located in Colorado. They share a lot of sensors and air defense systems. It’s the U.S. nuclear umbrella that also covers Canada as well with stations in multiple places in the U.S.