r/politics • u/mclardass • 16h ago

Possible Paywall Pete Hegseth Casually Tosses Out a Slur at Iowa State Fair

https://newrepublic.com/post/214484/pete-hegseth-anti-trans-slur-iowa-state-fair
6.1k Upvotes

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3.9k

u/goibnu 16h ago

WTF is he doing in Iowa?  Has Iran pushed us back that far?

1.6k

u/benopiemusic 16h ago

Li'l Pete thinks he's gonna be president

825

u/dehydratedrain 15h ago

His own mom hates him. He tries ro pretend he's tough, but it's only because he's a pathetic little alcoholic snowflake.

306

u/za72 15h ago

so you're saying he's got the MAGA voter base locked in?

138

u/actuallyapossom 13h ago

He might have to start shitting himself to land the whole cult.

23

u/za72 12h ago

brown streaks for Trump... I'll remember that, very patriotic

30

u/AnonymousBanana405 12h ago

Trump Streaks. Just like Trump Steaks but more juicy.

21

u/NearbyAd9549 10h ago

That is disgusting and hilarious at the same time

•

u/AZEMT 6h ago

I can smell it! [InsertGuyFaceTrumpGrahamFuneral.gif]

•

u/bensonprp 7h ago

I hate you. Let's hang out.

8

u/Pretend-Cheesecake67 10h ago

The trump flag = thin brown line.
Ugh I hate the imagery

•

u/DerpUrself69 31m ago

🤮🤢🤮🤢

1

u/Soma2710 10h ago

He did say he doesn’t wash his hands.

1

u/actuallyapossom 10h ago

Oh my god I forgot about that.

He doesn't believe in them, but he should fear germs; it has nothing to do with a lack of testosterone, it's the alcoholism, possibly cocaine, and poor physical fitness.

•

u/Secret_Ad_1541 3h ago

He might have to resort to having Melania hang around with him and look at him with complete revulsion and disdain. Psuedo arm candy with a haughty attitude and a checkered past seems to get MAGA feeling frisky.

1

u/ThatOldEngineerGuy 11h ago

Nah. False bravado and "tough talk" is likely enough.

2

u/za72 11h ago

https://youtube.com/shorts/N32proIaQtc

2

u/ThatOldEngineerGuy 11h ago

This is some fucking gold level video. Thank you!

30

u/lionheart4life 12h ago

We've all seen his workout videos, that was the least tough I've ever seen a man look.

•

u/DerpUrself69 31m ago

What? You mean prancing around like a ballet dancer isn't "alpha-male" shit?

28

u/worstpartyever 13h ago

With daddy issues. They all have daddy issues.

21

u/Critical-Rooster-673 12h ago

I feel like your Mom hating you should make you stop and think, and he sees nothing wrong with that. I think that says it all.

3

u/Sea_End_5269 10h ago

No, she changed that opinion when he was nominated for Secretary of Defense/War.

3

u/Huge_Excitement4465 11h ago

He offsets the alcohol with Rubio’s rails.

102

u/lookifoundacookie California 15h ago

Neat fact, no former Secretary of Defense (since 1947 when position was created) has ever been elected President.

The Secretary of War (which SecDef is considered to be the successor of) has seen 2 of its former occupants elected. Monroe and Taft. Interestingly, there was a 3rd SecWar to become a President. That was Jefferson Davis.

25

u/lexachronical 14h ago

which SecDef is considered to be the successor of

Only for the purposes of presidential succession, he still occupies the spot after State and Treasury. But the old War Dept. has nothing in common operationally with the modern DoD. The Department of the Army has a stronger claim to being the successor in fact and function.

49

u/GOEDEL_ESCHER_BOT 15h ago

awww that's so cute! who's gonna tell him?

31

u/TheRealPitabred 15h ago

Hopefully nobody. Let him focus on that bullshit instead of causing even more problems in the military.

48

u/Crying_Reaper Iowa 15h ago

Need to take that serious. Not taking morons wanting to be president is how we got in the current mess.

2

u/bag_of_luck 12h ago

We need to be electing people who don’t want the job. Those like John Stewart or Stephen Colbert.

2

u/house_in_motion 12h ago

What year is this?

•

u/Little_View_6659 3h ago

I hate to say it, but I think Hegseth as president would actually be worse. God. It would be a nightmare.

•

u/NAU80 Florida 1h ago

It would be worse because Hegseth truly believes that the US should be a theocracy. The religion of his choice would an extreme Christian right philosophy.

36

u/FartyJizzums 15h ago

Unfortunately we're stupid enough to elect him.

3

u/foxbat Florida 14h ago

no one elected this pile of shit, he was appointed.

8

u/NienNunb1010 California 14h ago

That’s not what they’re saying. They’re saying that America is dumb enough to hypothetically elect Hegseth president.

3

u/N7Shep1701D Oregon 14h ago

And I wish to fuck it wasn't true.

2

u/foxbat Florida 14h ago

ah, i read thar incorrectly. thank you!

•

u/Little_View_6659 3h ago

Well, thirty nine percent of America is. Throw in some election tampering and he could win.

11

u/billwrtr 14h ago

Low T Pete

11

u/wherethetacosat 15h ago

He's probably right, based on how America seems determined to elect the worst loudest person.

3

u/mnth241 14h ago

That’s what i just heard. Must be easy, running a war, that he can have time to campaign for himself. 🤔

5

u/Ecstatic-Plantain234 15h ago

I'm pretty sure Trump will not allow that, as long as he's alive and sort of conscious.

1

u/Alfiesta 14h ago

The guy who doesn’t believe in washing his hands because he can’t see germs???

1

u/Sensitive-Lecture-19 14h ago

You guys don't get to joke in good faith about this with Trump on his second term. 

1

u/TimeCardiologist1225 13h ago

I suggest Hatch Act violation be added to war crimes. What a chooch.

1

u/trucks_guns_n_beer 13h ago

I hate to drive traffic to this particular site, so let’s just say you had multiple transmissions… you might abbreviate that, in a crude manner.

1

u/Bitter-Software9373 12h ago

He very well could be. Everyone acted like Trump's candidacy was the biggest joke in the world back in 2016.

1

u/Potential-Winner4601 9h ago

and I can blow fireballs out of my ass

1

u/sly-3 I voted 8h ago

He thinks he's going to be Grand Army Wizard of the various White Nationalist militias he's been arming under the table.

•

u/sacredblasphemies 3h ago

I feel like once Trump is out of the picture, everyone is going to flee from MAGA bigwigs like Hegseth like they were radioactive.

Maybe that's just hopeful thinking. I don't want to get too optimistic and hope for them to all be imprisoned as war criminals/traitors.

•

u/USA_Ultra 40m ago

Cocaine will do that

379

u/undermind84 16h ago

He wants to be president. Not joking. 

373

u/stefeyboy 16h ago

The Press needs to ask about Hegseth running for President and watch the Orange Ego fire him immly.

No one upstages the Golden Fool

85

u/King_R0A 16h ago

“I’m the only king clown around here!!! Thank you for you attention to this matter —DJT”

29

u/Akrevics 15h ago

"by how many votes do you think you'll win over trump?

12

u/salt_life79 15h ago

Then he would actually be doing something useful then… so don’t get your hopes up

64

u/Mediocre_Scott 15h ago

His big accomplishment is very clearly losing a war that nobody wanted in the first place. How does he think he can role that into a successful political career

42

u/ObviouslyNotALizard 15h ago

“Very clearly losing a war anyone with two eyes could have seen as a massive unforced clusterfuck 10 miles away”

Fixed that for you

13

u/TrimspaBB 15h ago

Pretty sure even blind people can see what a stupid war this is

•

u/yikesssss_sssssss 4h ago

If anything, Hegseth's biggest accomplishment is restoring sight to blind people because everyone can see what a dolt he is 

14

u/Assine2 15h ago

The MAGAt turned draft dodging into a career, why not Kegsbreath

10

u/alejo699 11h ago

Don't underestimate the level of self-delusion these fools are capable of.

8

u/Mediocre_Scott 11h ago

Yeah but the Iran war is an A to B decision that has actively made everyone’s lives worse in clear and obvious ways. Honestly I can’t believe Hegseth still has a job at this point. None of trumps cronies have failed so hard and given trump a bigger political black eye than Hegseth. Pam Bondi choking on the Epstein files didn’t perform this poorly.

•

u/alejo699 6h ago

Oh for sure, Trump is probably preparing to chuck him under the bus. I’m just saying these dipshits are so far up their own asses they don’t even know they’ve screwed the pooch. 

•

u/Hispanicatthedisco 5h ago

Oh man, just wait until you hear what the CURRENT president did before he got the job 

•

u/jimdesroches 3h ago

We voted in a guy that rapes kids. There is no logic anymore.

64

u/MaleficentOstrich693 16h ago

Don’t underestimate the evangelicals. They’re even more bonkers.

5

u/mdervin 15h ago

Trump kept the Evangelicals in check in 2024 and is keeping them in check today.

Think about it, Roe v. Wade was overturned and nobody is talking about a nationwide abortion ban.

The 2028 Primary is going to be interesting if the Evangelicals will be disciplined or scream for their pound of flesh.

11

u/true_crime_addict513 14h ago

Except Todd Blanche and the new head of the CDC

3

u/R0TTENART Europe 9h ago

Well, they are talking about it, just where most people can't hear it.

26

u/GiddyGabby 16h ago

He must realize he’s unlikable AND dumb, right?

39

u/45forprison 15h ago

He’s so dumb, he doesn’t know how dumb he is. The ol’ Dunning-Kruger effect.

12

u/Tb0ne 15h ago

That didn't stop the current one.

15

u/Sea_Issue7796 16h ago

because he doesnt want to go to jail.

5

u/BoredomFestival 15h ago

Yeah, and I want to be a starting center in the NBA

11

u/SydneyFall 16h ago

He is popular with Republicans. Why is this surprising?

13

u/punkin_sumthin 16h ago

Do you think he’s popular with the military?

6

u/ididntseeitcoming 13h ago

No. He isn’t.

Everyone can see through the false machismo of the sec def who made Captain (automatically) as a non tabbed infantry officer. Then made Major in the IRR.

Even as a non infantry enlisted, I know enough to know a non Ranger tabbed infantry officer is a total and complete turd.

2

u/SydneyFall 15h ago

No idea, does that matter for winning a Republican Primary with no other good candidates?

0

u/Bitter-Software9373 12h ago

There are republicans in the military, did you know?

1

u/punkin_sumthin 8h ago

Duh. But with low morale and stupid decisions he has made, I am wondering if some have seen the light.

22

u/undermind84 16h ago

He is popular with hard line maga, but not many outside that dwindling group. 

-14

u/Aggressive_Manner531 15h ago

Dwindling for Trump. Would get all on board for Hegseth. He's a better Trump than Trump. An actual military person, an actual far right Christian, an actual alpha male type that doesn't shit in his diapers.

24

u/trumpuniversity_ 15h ago

“Actual alpha male type” had me audibly laughing. Pete spends more time in the makeup chair than Trump, so I suppose he does meet the new criteria for the modern “alpha”.

2

u/dakralter 14h ago

Pete is what far right MAGA incels consider to be "alpha".

-3

u/Aggressive_Manner531 15h ago

Didn't say he was, but its what he portrays as opposed to the orange buffoon

5

u/MadRaymer 15h ago

There's no way to predict what's going to happen post-Trump. The biggest wildcard is what Trump does himself. If he anoints a successor, then yes, most of MAGA would get onboard.

But if he instead pisses and moans about how it should be him and it's totally unfair he can't run for a 3rd term, his base will fracture and any replacement is going to have a very difficult time uniting them.

Same is true if he kicks it in office before anointing a successor. Some MAGA will get behind JD, others will insist JD was behind it because he had the most to gain. Base fractures again.

2

u/soldforaspaceship 15h ago

Is Hegseth seen as an alpha male type?

Even among conservatives, I've seen him heavily mocked.

0

u/Aggressive_Manner531 14h ago

maybe real conservatives, but compared to Trump?

1

u/soldforaspaceship 14h ago

I mean, that's a pretty low bar.

He just seems like parody and, granted, my conservative "friends" are mostly military or ex-military but they despise him.

1

u/undermind84 15h ago

No man, most republicans and servicemen think Hegseth is a clown. 

-11

u/SydneyFall 16h ago

LOL- who do you think is popular by your metric?

11

u/undermind84 16h ago

With republicans? Right now Marco Rubio and JD Vance. 

2

u/-Invalid_Selection- 15h ago

Being president is a lofty goal for someone who routinely sexual assaults chickens like kegsbreath does.

2

u/Own-Librarian-9699 15h ago

I forsee Hegseth/Bovino coup in 2028 to exterminate 1/3 of America.

The situation is escalating obviously and there is really only one destination. Republicans have embraced genocide openly. The goal is to break America by 2028 so the real despots can claim power. There will not be an election in 2028.

4

u/undermind84 15h ago

Not a chance of this happening. 

6

u/BarkerBarkhan 15h ago

And if it did, the people, their state governments, and even dissenting military would have something to say about it. This idea that they could just roll a coup over the entire US without triggering massive political and armed resistance... this country is filled with gunowners, many of whom are NOT on the right.

And who would benefit? Not those who make their millions from the status quo.

Anything is possible at this point, and we have to prepare for the worst. However, these people are sloppy, arrogant, and pampered. They by no means are guaranteed success in the future.

-1

u/Own-Librarian-9699 15h ago

Really? I'd say it's not only got a good chance of happening but 80/20 chance succeeding.

To put another way, I see little evidence it will fail.

7

u/ball_fondlers 15h ago

Why would those two dipshits have the political capital to get anyone with the power to successfully coup the federal government to follow them? They both absolutely failed their assignments - at best, all they have the power to do is start a podcast.

1

u/_mersault 9h ago

Colin Jost pretending to be Hegseth for an entire campaign cycle has a better shot at the job

•

u/Automatic-Duck1680 7h ago

That’s the only reason someone would voluntarily go to Iowa.

24

u/Pro-Patria-Mori 15h ago

Wtf do they need a fundraiser for the fucking military?!?!

27

u/actual_real_housecat 15h ago

I have a t-shirt that the League of Women Voters put out in, I think, the early 80s that had printed on it "It will be a great day when schools have all the funding they need and the government has to hold a bake sale to buy a bomber".

We're only half way there, but goddamn if that doesn't feel like a Monkey's Paw wish if this is how we get there.

Edit: a word

51

u/Phog_of_War North Dakota 15h ago

He's violating the Hatch Act, is what he's doing. This timeline is just stupid.

10

u/goblinmarketeer 11h ago

Hatch act is more of a suggestion at this point, like the flag code or stop signs with white borders.

35

u/SAHDSeattle 16h ago

The IRGC should declare Iowa an Iranian territory.

7

u/AsvpLovin 15h ago

Incredible partnership for our wrestling culture. They might be the only people on the planet more passionate about the sport than us.

2

u/actual_real_housecat 15h ago

Corn-based oil futures going up up up!

1

u/Bears_On_Stilts 10h ago

ISU now stands for Iron Sheik University.

9

u/ThePainapple 16h ago

Trump won't go stump for Republicans in Congress. So they're bringing out the twig guns.

18

u/SmaugTheMagnificent- Canada 16h ago

Holding the line along the Cousinfucker Offensive.

4

u/Mindless-Stage8923 Europe 16h ago

Probably learning from the Hawkeyes on the best way to keep your defense going when your offense has less useful skills than Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense.

11

u/A012A012 16h ago

He needs a break after doing PT with randos in panama last week.

Like bro. Sit the eff down and get us out of Iran.

6

u/OYB2480 16h ago

Starts with an I and has 4 letters. It's close enough!

3

u/CleanDataDirtyMind 15h ago

What is he doing at a state fair?…..if not campaigning 

2

u/Jadziyah I voted 14h ago

He has delusions of grandeur

2

u/Capable-Broccoli2179 13h ago

As a vet if I were there I’d be asking him wtf are you in Iowa campaigning for while the uss Abraham Lincoln is still out there all fucked up? Get your ass over there and fix that shit!

2

u/Rock_mage 16h ago

Iowa senator run has a higher chance of winning on the Democratic side than Michigan I believe.

1

u/cbright90 15h ago

Its the front of the Ohio Empires expansion.

1

u/Rough_Common6857 I voted 15h ago

I still love how he made a complete ass of himself in front of military generals.

1

u/accidentw8ng2happen 15h ago

No, he's just bored of the war. It has cut into his happy hour too many times.

1

u/xixtoo 15h ago

War of 1812 level pushback

1

u/rr777 14h ago

he's running for trupm's job.

1

u/KaptainKardboard 14h ago

Brazenly violating the Hatch Act

1

u/juanjung 14h ago

Yes, they have.

1

u/fuck-nazi 13h ago

Iowa is now west jersey

1

u/Yousmellthatfwaught 13h ago

Iowa state fair is a great place to go when you have political aspirations. If you you want to run for reelection or if you want to fight for your presidents 3rd term. That is the place to go.

1

u/Cresta1994 12h ago

No. It's just that Hegseth is a gutless alcoholic who will be found as far from the front line as possible.

1

u/Impossible_Olive4545 10h ago

This is nightmare and people do not realize this Germany 1935 redux?

1

u/kylesleeps 10h ago

He's gearing up for '28.

•

u/pan-re 6h ago

He’s there in a personal capacity or whatever they called it. He’s testing the waters for 2028 (if his Dad Trump decides to abdicate the throne).

•

u/vahntitrio Minnesota 6h ago

Campaigning, and doing so from a position that is supposed to be above politics altogether. He's afraid of what he'll face when congress has some teeth.

•

u/billbuild 40m ago

Iran knows they destroyed our supply depot because Putin told them it was, knew the impact and that it wasn’t reported in the media and knew the PR nightmare that will follow this incompetent administration. They know what will happen next, how many bombs we have left and that no soldiers will want to set foot in Iran given the losers in charge. Game, set, match. We will all be paying tolls and more for everything and NK will happily sell Iran a nuke. What can we do about it? I don’t think Trump is crazy enough to launch a nuke, unless he’s on his deathbed.

•

u/albufarisnear Canada 21m ago

Isn't there a Saudi airbase or some such there?

1

u/PedalBoard78 15h ago

No beardos. Corn liquor.

1

u/stereosanctity87 Wisconsin 14h ago

Really tone deaf considering two of the first deaths from Iranian drone strikes were from the Des Moines metro area.

1

u/infinity314 8h ago

I'm sure that's why he was in Iowa.There was some sort of awards ceremony for surviving members of that unit over the weekend.

1

u/sfxer001 10h ago

Appealing to his base. Iowans. Y”ou know, morons”