The U.S. Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, is facing significant criticism for a controversial social media post that many perceive as an attack on Canada’s military. His post, which included an image of Canadian troops alongside a disparaging caption, has sparked outrage on both sides of the border.
On Monday evening, Hegseth shared a photo on X featuring two individuals in Canadian military attire, accompanied by the phrase “this is real.” This post appears to be a jab at Canada’s armed forces, coinciding with ongoing trade tensions between the U.S. and Canada.
Despite the backlash, which has been swift and widespread, the post remained active on Hegseth’s account as of Wednesday. Critics are calling out the body-shaming of Canadian military members, particularly female service personnel, and are demanding accountability from the Secretary of Defense.