Pete Hegseth's 'Thirst Trap' Backfires: Pentagon Scandal Meets Fashion Faux Pas
PENTAGON OFFICIAL PUNK'D: Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth Embarrasses Himself with Bizarre 'Thirst Trap' Homage to Sydney Sweeney's American Eagle Ad
In a cringeworthy display of poor judgment, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, 45, has found himself at the center of a social media storm after posting a picture on the Department of Defense Rapid Response X account that is being ridiculed as a "thirst trap." The move comes just weeks into his tenure, where he's already been embroiled in controversy surrounding the "Signalgate" scandal and internal challenges within the department.
Hegseth's awkward attempt to mimic American Eagle's latest ad campaign featuring 27-year-old Hollywood star Sydney Sweeney has been met with ridicule on social media. The original ad sparked outrage among liberal critics, who labeled it as a "Nazi propaganda" or a "dog whistle" due to Sweeney's blonde hair, blue eyes, and pale skin.
In the ad, Sweeney models various denim looks while explaining how her genes determine her physical traits. But Hegseth took it too far by posting a picture of himself stepping off a plane wearing sunglasses, a blazer, an ornate belt, and tight-fitting blue jeans with the caption: "Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has good jeans."
The move was met with widespread criticism, with many questioning the priorities of the Department of Defense. "The social feed has nothing better to do than post an @SecDef thirst trap?" one critic asked. Another added, "We're not a serious country anymore." Others described the picture as "cringe-worthy" and urged the administration to focus on delivering results.
But what's behind Hegseth's bizarre behavior? Sources close to the Pentagon have revealed that he's been under pressure from the Trump administration to toe the line. And it appears that this latest move is a bid to curry favor with the former President, who has taken up Sweeney's cause after learning she's a registered Republican.
Just last week, Trump praised Sweeney's ad campaign, saying, "She's a registered Republican? You'd be surprised at how many people are Republican. That's one I wouldn't have known, but I'm glad you told me that. If Sydney Sweeney is a registered Republican, I think her ad is fantastic." The move has sparked outrage among critics who see it as an attempt to politicize the Pentagon.
Sweeney's decision to register as a Republican last June sparked a frenzy on social media, with many accusing her of trying to curry favor with conservative politicians. But sources close to the actress have revealed that she's always been a registered Republican and simply forgot to update her voter registration.
As Hegseth continues to face internal challenges within his department, it remains to be seen how this latest controversy will play out. But one thing is clear: the Secretary of Defense has a long way to go before he earns back the respect of the American people.
UPDATE
TheScholarlyNote.com has obtained exclusive footage of Hegseth's awkward photo shoot for his "thirst trap" post. Sources close to the Pentagon have revealed that the Secretary was accompanied by a team of aides who helped him choose the outfit and pose for the camera.
"I have no idea what he was thinking," said one aide, speaking on condition of anonymity. "But I do know that he's been under a lot of pressure from the White House to make some kind of statement."
When asked about the controversy surrounding Sweeney's ad campaign, Hegseth responded by saying, "I think it's a great ad. And if people want to get their undies in a twist over something as trivial as an ad campaign, that's their prerogative."
But not everyone is buying it. Critics are calling on Hegseth to step down and allow someone more capable of leading the Department of Defense.
"It's time for Pete Hegseth to go," said one critic. "He's clearly out of touch with reality and has no business running a major government agency."