{"id":197665,"date":"2026-09-05T22:25:26","date_gmt":"2026-09-05T22:25:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/197665\/"},"modified":"2026-09-05T22:25:26","modified_gmt":"2026-09-05T22:25:26","slug":"pete-hegseth-trolls-canada-again-despite-mark-carney-warning-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/197665\/","title":{"rendered":"Pete Hegseth trolls Canada again despite Mark Carney warning"},"content":{"rendered":"

U.S. Defense Secretary Hegseth has returned to posting about Canada<\/a>, sharing a Canadian<\/a> Coast Guard Pride message with only a flag emoji<\/a> days after Prime Minister<\/a> Mark Carney<\/a> criticized American officials for using memes and mockery during a serious dispute between the neighboring countries.<\/p>\n

Key Points<\/p>\n

Hegseth quoted a Canadian Coast Guard post about its participation in Ottawa<\/a>‘s Pride celebration and added a Canadian flag emoji.<\/p>\n

The post came after Carney said U.S. officials should “stop doing memes,” “stop throwing shade” and become serious about renewed trade discussions.<\/p>\n

Unlike Hegseth’s earlier message about Canadian cadets, the latest post contained no written criticism, leaving its intended meaning unstated.<\/p>\n

What To Know\u00a0<\/p>\n

Hegseth quoted the Canadian Coast Guard’s August 31 Pride post on X early Saturday, adding only a Canadian flag emoji without explaining his purpose.<\/p>\n

The message followed Carney’s public warning<\/a> that Washington’s social media jabs were obstructing a return to substantive trade negotiations.<\/p>\n

Nothing in the post announced a policy change, but it keeps the Canadian government and one of its federal agencies in a politically charged online exchange.<\/p>\n

Why It Matters<\/p>\n

Carney said in Ottawa on September 1 that Cabinet-level insults directed at Canada were “beneath their office” and called the rhetoric “not constructive.”\u00a0<\/p>\n

He also tied any resumption of trade talks to a more serious approach from Washington.<\/p>\n

Hegseth Responds With One Emoji<\/p>\n

The Canadian Coast Guard wrote on X that its personnel were “proud” to join Fiert\u00e9 dans la Capitale Pride in Ottawa for a day “celebrating the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.”\u00a0<\/p>\n

Photographs accompanying the message showed uniformed personnel and other participants holding rainbow flags.<\/p>\n

Hegseth quoted that post several days later and supplied a single Canadian flag emoji.\u00a0<\/p>\n

He offered no further explanation in the message, making it impossible to determine from the wording alone whether it was criticism, sarcasm or simple amplification.<\/p>\n

Reaction on X divided along familiar lines. Some users defended the Coast Guard’s appearance as community engagement, while critics questioned whether participation in Pride events belonged among the public activities of a uniformed service.<\/p>\n

Canada describes the Coast Guard as a special operating agency within the Department of National Defence responsible for mariner safety, protection of the marine environment, maritime trade and a presence supporting sovereignty and security in Canadian waters.<\/p>\n

The Earlier Post Drew Sharper Criticism<\/p>\n

Saturday’s sparse message was less explicit than Hegseth’s previous post involving Canada.\u00a0<\/p>\n

On Monday, he shared an image associated with a Canadian cadet program, added the words “this is real” and included the same flag emoji.<\/p>\n

That post prompted criticism from Canadian officials and other public figures because the image involved a young participant in a cadet program.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Carney later grouped the episode with broader criticism of the Trump administration<\/a>‘s approach toward Canada.<\/p>\n

Asked about U.S. Cabinet secretaries insulting the Canadian military, the prime minister replied: “It’s beneath their office.”<\/p>\n

\"Mark<\/p>\n

Mark Carney (L) at the Davie Shipyard in Levis, Quebec, Canada on August 24, 2026. Pete Hegseth (R) at the Pentagon September 2, 2026 in Arlington, Virginia.<\/p>\n

Carney Had Urged Washington To Get Serious<\/p>\n

Carney’s response went beyond objecting to social media posts.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Speaking about the possibility of restarting trade negotiations, he said: “When the Americans stop doing memes, stop throwing shade, stop trying to be tough and start being serious about having those discussions, we can have those discussions.”<\/p>\n

“There’s a positive opportunity that has always existed with the United States for a mutually beneficial trade deal that respects Canadian sovereignty,” he added.<\/p>\n

The remarks followed several public provocations from senior U.S. officials.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent mocked Canada’s military capacity while arguing that Ottawa could not sustain a “tit-for-tat” confrontation with the much larger American economy.\u00a0<\/p>\n

President Donald Trump had also directed U.S. federal agencies to use “Lake America” in place of Lake Ontario<\/a>.<\/p>\n

What Happens Next<\/p>\n

For now, the defense secretary has left the latest post unexplained.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Any official Canadian response, clarification from the Pentagon or further message from Hegseth could determine whether the exchange develops into another diplomatic dispute or remains a fleeting online provocation.<\/p>\n

Contact Newsweek editor on this story: Edward Pearcey.<\/a><\/p>\n

Related Articles<\/p>\n

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