"No fat people, no trans people, no weirdos": The unusual speech of the US Secretary of Defense

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth delivered an unusual speech at the Marine Corps Base Quantico, declaring a change in military culture using blunt terms against transgender individuals, fat people, and "weirdos." Alongside the rhetoric, he presented practical steps: a 20% cut in general and admiral positions, the establishment of a new command for autonomous warfare (AutoWarCom), and a research project led by Elon Musk to examine future wars.

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth delivered an unusual speech at the Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, which he defined as the annual "State of the Forces" address. In the speech, Hegseth announced a cultural change in the US military using blunt terms: "No fat people, no trans people, no bearded, no weirdos, no weaklings, no extremists. Only warriors." The word he used to describe transgender individuals, "trannies," is considered a derogatory slur. Hegseth declared that the Pentagon is no longer "the WOKE department, the weak department," and added: "The ideological clowns are out. The patriotic cowboys are in." The remarks align with the Trump administration's steps to cancel DEI programs and restrictions on transgender service. Alongside the rhetoric, Hegseth presented a series of practical steps: a plan to reduce the number of general and admiral positions by 20% (a reduction of about 10% has already been achieved); the establishment of a new four-star command for autonomous warfare (Autonomous Warfare Command - AutoWarCom), the first new command since Space Command in 2019; and Project Meridian, a 120-day research project led by Elon Musk, Palmer Luckey, and Newt Gingrich to examine future wars. Hegseth also attacked the media, calling certain reports "national betrayal" and "treason against the homeland." According to NPR, the Pentagon has not held a press briefing since May, despite the war in Iran.