Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Faces Backlash After Calling Transgender Troops a Slur During Iowa State Fair Speech

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is facing widespread backlash after using a transphobic slur during a campaign speech at the Iowa State Fair. The incident occurred on Monday, August 17, during a military fundraiser event.

Hegseth commented on the "Operation Top Nunn: Salute to the Troops" event at JR's Southpork Ranch. He was appearing at the Iowa State Fair to endorse Republican Rep. Zach Nunn for his third-term reelection campaign.

While criticizing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies and defending restrictions on transgender personnel in the military, Hegseth stated, "At the Department of War, we do training, not t-------. It is a day and night difference."

Hegseth has a well-documented history of opposing LGBTQ+ representation, healthcare and personnel integration in the United States military. His positions have shaped official Pentagon policies and fueled ongoing political battles.

The former Fox News weekend host enacted directives halting the enlistment of transgender recruits, freezing gender-affirming medical procedures, and initiating separation processes for active transgender service members. Over 1,000 transgender troops face involuntary discharge, a move challenged by groups like Lambda Legal.

Hegseth faced scrutiny for blocking hormone therapy for transgender individuals while simultaneously introducing screening and testosterone replacement therapy for cisgender troops over 30 deemed to have "low T.”

The remarks drew immediate condemnation from lawmakers, veterans, and civil rights groups.

Massachusetts Democrat Sen. Ed Markey labeled the comments "abhorrent" and called for Hegseth's resignation. Georgia’s Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock stated on social media that Hegseth "should be fired immediately.”

Nunn’s Democratic opponent, State Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott, criticized the fundraiser event, calling it "disgraceful" for political leaders to hold such events while overseas military service members face active threats.

“Pete Hegseth's comments are abhorrent and an insult to LGBTQ+ service members and veterans. Transgender service members have and continue to serve our country with honor and dignity. Pete Hegseth must resign," Sen. Markey wrote on X.

Defense Secretaries have historically avoided partisan campaigns to maintain the military's apolitical role. Hegseth’s campaign appearances sharply depart from these established institutional traditions and appear to conflict directly with Department of Defense rules.

The remarks come amid ongoing scrutiny over Hegseth's administrative policies, including reports from the New York Times indicating his involvement in stalling the promotions of specific minority and female military leaders.

As of Friday, August 21, Hegseth has not issued a direct public apology or comment regarding the controversy, choosing instead to focus his public communications on foreign policy matters.

Hegseth’s transphobic comments come as he faces severe scrutiny after it was revealed that the 5,000 personnel aboard the carrier USS Abraham Lincoln are facing severe exhaustion, food rationing, broken plumbing, a lack of clean drinking water, and collapsing morale. Worse, reports emerged that multiple desperate sailors had attempted to jump overboard.

Simultaneously, a separate controversy has broken out regarding Hegseth's third wife, Jennifer, and her unusual level of authority over Pentagon matters.

A deep dive by The New York Times, published on August 19, detailed how Jennifer, nicknamed “Yoko Ono” by Pentagon insiders, has been given an unprecedented, "hands-on" operational role within the Department of Defense.

She was formally appointed to head the President's Military Spouse Commission.