California Governor Gavin Newsom recently took a humorous jab at Pete Hegseth, the Defense Secretary, by referencing a popular “Simpsons” character in response to Hegseth’s controversial address to military leaders. Newsom’s office shared an edited image of Ralph Wiggum, humorously portraying Hegseth as the character who is known for his naivety, with the image captioned as “PETE AT HIS BIG MEETING THIS MORNING!”
This jest was aimed at Hegseth after he called a meeting with top military personnel in Quantico, Virginia, to discuss grooming and fitness standards for the military. Hegseth’s assembly, termed as focusing on the “warrior ethos,” required senior officers to hastily organize their travel, leading to potential security concerns and financial implications. During his address, Hegseth emphasized the elimination of beards, long hair, and other forms of personal expression, urging military members to adhere to traditional standards, including specific height and weight requirements along with biannual physical tests.
Governor Newsom further critiqued these newfound fitness mandates by sharing an unflattering image of Donald Trump dining at McDonald’s, suggesting that the Commander in Chief should adhere to the same standards. An additional mocking illustration of Trump surrounded by McDonald’s burgers was also disseminated by Newsom’s team, coupled with commentary on the incongruity of witnessing an overweight Commander in Chief.
Newsom’s disapproval extended beyond social media. He tweeted an article describing Hegseth’s allegedly erratic behavior, evident in his decision to deploy federal troops to Los Angeles during ICE protests earlier in the year. The Governor highlighted that 4,700 soldiers were ordered to the city, questioning Hegseth’s judgment in dealing with domestic issues.
In retaliation, the Department of Defense criticized Newsom, challenging him to focus on resolving California’s issues instead of disparaging Hegseth. They contended that the National Guard’s involvement was necessitated by Newsom’s inability to manage state affairs, accusing him of attempting to divert attention from his own governance failures.
Reports from daily publications have described Hegseth’s conduct as “frantic,” noting unusual behaviors such as pacing and fidgeting during meetings. This added another layer to the ongoing controversy surrounding his leadership and recent decisions affecting the military’s operations and public image.