Pete Hegseth posts latest "frat boy" insult to Canada, academics say
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is facing criticism from academics for a social media post mocking a Canadian military cadet training facility. The post, which featured a photo of a female cadet and instructor, is being described as unprofessional and part of a pattern of anti-Canadian rhetoric.
Why it matters
The incident highlights ongoing diplomatic friction and the impact of social media behavior by high-ranking government officials on international relations.
Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Pete Hegseth's post just the latest 'frat boy' insult to Canada, academics say U.S. officials have mocked Canada's naval power and military cadet training, and keep referring to the country as a state
Join the conversation U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testifies during a Senate Committee on Appropriations hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on July 21, 2026. Photo by Alex WROBLEWSKI/AFP via Getty Images Article content Anti-Canadian rhetoric by U.S. officials is being characterized by two political experts as “really weird, really bizarre” and “frat house humour.”
Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in