U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth used a transphobic slur while speaking at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines [1].
The incident highlights the escalating tension between the Department of Defense leadership and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives within the U.S. military.
Hegseth visited the fair on Monday, Aug. 13, 2026, to campaign for Rep. Zach Nunn (R-IA), who is running for a third term in Congress [1], [4]. During his appearance, Hegseth denounced DEI policies and argued that the military should not prioritize identity politics over operational readiness.
"The military is gender neutral, and we don’t need to cater to every identity," Hegseth said [3].
While speaking to the crowd, Hegseth linked the focus on social issues to military effectiveness. He said that "the cost of fighting radical Islamist crazies is troops dying" [5].
The secretary's remarks were part of a broader effort to support Nunn's re-election bid. Hegseth used the platform to suggest that current military culture has drifted from its primary mission, defense, by incorporating inclusive policies that he views as distractions.
Critics of the secretary's language argue that the use of slurs by the head of the Department of Defense creates a hostile environment for service members. Supporters, however, view his rhetoric as a necessary correction to what they describe as ideological capture within the ranks.
This event took place during a high-profile campaign stop where Hegseth sought to mobilize Republican voters in Iowa by framing the military's internal culture as a political battleground.
“"The military is gender neutral, and we don’t need to cater to every identity."”
The use of inflammatory language by the Secretary of Defense signals a systemic shift in how the Pentagon addresses gender and identity. By explicitly attacking DEI policies and using slurs in a public forum, Hegseth is aligning the military's leadership with a specific political movement that views inclusivity as a threat to national security and combat lethality.
