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Hegseth Faces Backlash After Body-Shaming Cadet Image Post

9/1/2026

36 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth posted a body-shaming image of Canadian cadets on X.
The photo, from Vernon Cadet Training Center, showed a cadet receiving a medal with a Canadian flag added.
Hegseth captioned “(this is real)” and faced criticism for the post.
Army Secretary Dan Driscoll resigned, citing Hegseth’s blocking of transformation.
Hegseth previously said women should not serve in combat, demanding highest male standards.

History

Historical Context

After Secretary of Defense Les Aspin lifted aviation combat limits in April 1993, he issued a 1994 memo that barred women from ground-combat or collocated roles. A 2012 review left about 238,000 positions off-limits, and the ban persisted until Defense Secretary Leon Panetta announced full removal on 24 January 2013. Hegseth’s 2024 remarks echo the same gender-bias debate.

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Story summary

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth posted a body-shaming image of Canadian cadets on X.
The photo, from Vernon Cadet Training Center, showed a cadet receiving a medal with a Canadian flag added.
Hegseth captioned “(this is real)” and faced criticism for the post.
Army Secretary Dan Driscoll resigned, citing Hegseth’s blocking of transformation.
Hegseth previously said women should not serve in combat, demanding highest male standards.

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