Did Pete Hegseth’s “this is real” post mock Canadian cadets?

7 latest responses. Dates: September 1, 2026 to September 2, 2026

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7 responses on this page

1. Editorial labelCondemnedDon BaconBacon, a Republican lawmaker and retired Air Force general, called the post lowbrow, unprofessional, demeaning, and uncalled for.September 2, 2026Role at the time: United States representative and retired Air Force brigadier general

   "It's lowbrow. I think it's unprofessional… demeaning and uncalled for."

   Context, editorial note, and sources

   Responding to

   Hegseth’s post mocked or invited mockery of the appearance and achievements of people shown in the Canadian cadet-program image.

   Bacon, a Republican lawmaker and retired Air Force general, called the post lowbrow, unprofessional, demeaning, and uncalled for.

   Why we used this label

   The statement is an explicit condemnation from a U.S. lawmaker in Hegseth’s own party.

   Before the statement

   Canadian political leaders and the cadet organization had criticized the post.

   After the statement

   Bacon said cabinet-level officials should maintain a higher level of professionalism.

   Don Bacon calls Hegseth's cadet post lowbrow and demeaningCNN interview excerpt in paragraphs 5–8.

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2. Editorial labelCondemnedGeorge ClooneyClooney invoked decency and said he was ashamed of the post and the conduct it represented.September 2, 2026Role at the time: Actor speaking at the Venice Film Festival

   "Where's the sense of decency in all of this? And I'm ashamed of all of that."

   Context, editorial note, and sources

   Responding to

   Hegseth’s post mocked or invited mockery of the appearance and achievements of people shown in the Canadian cadet-program image.

   Clooney invoked decency and said he was ashamed of the post and the conduct it represented.

   Why we used this label

   The remarks clearly condemn Hegseth’s post on moral and professional grounds.

   Before the statement

   The controversy had spread beyond Canadian politics after the Pentagon stood by the post.

   After the statement

   Clooney’s remarks extended the criticism into entertainment and international media coverage.

   George Clooney criticizes Pete Hegseth over Canadian cadet postRemarks reported from the Venice Film Festival press appearance.

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3. Editorial labelCondemnedDavid EbyEby condemned the post and described it as an attack on young Canadians participating in a volunteer cadet program.September 1, 2026Role at the time: Premier of British Columbia

   "What an embarrassment."

   Context, editorial note, and sources

   Responding to

   Hegseth’s post mocked or invited mockery of the appearance and achievements of people shown in the Canadian cadet-program image.

   Eby condemned the post and described it as an attack on young Canadians participating in a volunteer cadet program.

   Why we used this label

   The statement is a direct condemnation of Hegseth and the perceived target of the post.

   Before the statement

   The image originated from the Vernon Cadet Training Centre in British Columbia.

   After the statement

   The Pentagon declined to elaborate on the caption and said the post spoke for itself.

   Hegseth post about Canadian cadets called below the dignity of his officeMain article and embedded remarks from Mark Carney, David McGuinty, David Eby, and the Pentagon.

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4. Editorial labelChallenged the characterizationGarnett GenuisGenuis corrected the apparent premise of the post by explaining that the cadets are youth-program participants rather than members of Canada’s military.September 1, 2026Role at the time: Member of the Canadian Parliament

   "Cadets do great work, and are not members of the military."

   Context, editorial note, and sources

   Responding to

   The people shown were participants in a youth cadet program, and the cadets themselves were not members of the Canadian military.

   Genuis corrected the apparent premise of the post by explaining that the cadets are youth-program participants rather than members of Canada’s military.

   Why we used this label

   The response challenges the factual characterization implied by using the cadet image to comment on Canadian military capability.

   Before the statement

   Commentators interpreted Hegseth’s unexplained caption as a jab at Canada’s armed forces.

   After the statement

   Genuis also noted Canada’s combat losses alongside the United States in Afghanistan.

   Pentagon defends Hegseth's post about Canadian cadet programParagraphs describing the original post, Pentagon response, and Garnett Genuis response.

   Hegseth draws Canadian backlash over post that appears to mock cadetsOpening section, including the Army Cadet League statement and David McGuinty's response.

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5. Editorial labelCondemnedArmy Cadet League of CanadaThe Army Cadet League condemned harassment or mockery directed at cadets and defended the participants’ achievements.September 1, 2026Role at the time: Cadet-support organization

   "We strongly condemn any online harassment, or mockery of cadets' achievements."

   Context, editorial note, and sources

   Responding to

   Hegseth’s post mocked or invited mockery of the appearance and achievements of people shown in the Canadian cadet-program image.

   The Army Cadet League condemned harassment or mockery directed at cadets and defended the participants’ achievements.

   Why we used this label

   The organization’s statement expressly condemns the interpretation of the post as mockery.

   Before the statement

   A photograph from the cadet training centre had been recirculated by Hegseth with an unexplained caption.

   After the statement

   The organization emphasized the value of the youth program and the cadets’ work.

   Hegseth draws Canadian backlash over post that appears to mock cadetsOpening section, including the Army Cadet League statement and David McGuinty's response.

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6. Editorial labelCondemnedDavid McGuintyMcGuinty said Hegseth’s post fell below the standard expected of the U.S. defense secretary.September 1, 2026Role at the time: Canadian minister of national defence

   "Below the dignity of the office he holds."

   Context, editorial note, and sources

   Responding to

   Hegseth’s post mocked or invited mockery of the appearance and achievements of people shown in the Canadian cadet-program image.

   McGuinty said Hegseth’s post fell below the standard expected of the U.S. defense secretary.

   Why we used this label

   The statement unambiguously condemns the post as inappropriate for Hegseth’s office.

   Before the statement

   The post was widely interpreted as ridiculing young Canadian cadets shown in a training-centre photograph.

   After the statement

   Other Canadian leaders and the cadet organization issued their own responses.

   Hegseth post about Canadian cadets called below the dignity of his officeMain article and embedded remarks from Mark Carney, David McGuinty, David Eby, and the Pentagon.

   Hegseth draws Canadian backlash over post that appears to mock cadetsOpening section, including the Army Cadet League statement and David McGuinty's response.

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7. Editorial labelCondemnedMark CarneyCarney said the post was beneath the office of the U.S. defense secretary and folded it into broader criticism of political taunting.September 1, 2026Role at the time: Prime Minister of Canada

   "Beneath their office."

   Context, editorial note, and sources

   Responding to

   Hegseth’s post mocked or invited mockery of the appearance and achievements of people shown in the Canadian cadet-program image.

   Carney said the post was beneath the office of the U.S. defense secretary and folded it into broader criticism of political taunting.

   Why we used this label

   The remark directly condemns the appropriateness of the post from a cabinet official.

   Before the statement

   Hegseth had reposted an image from a Canadian cadet training program with a Canada flag and the words “this is real.”

   After the statement

   Carney urged officials to stop posting memes and taunts and focus on substantive work.

   Canadian leader Carney pushes back against Trump administrationOpening section discussing Hegseth's post, Carney's response, and the Pentagon statement.

   Hegseth post about Canadian cadets called below the dignity of his officeMain article and embedded remarks from Mark Carney, David McGuinty, David Eby, and the Pentagon.

   Read statementLink to this statement