US Defence Secretary Hegseth Sparks Fury With Anti-Trans Slur During Major Pentagon Speech

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth sparked fresh controversy on Wednesday after using an anti-trans slur while laying out his vision for the US military at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia.

Speaking to about 600 junior officers and enlisted leaders during his second annual 'State of the Force' address, Hegseth offered a blunt description of the force he wants to build.

'No fatties, no trannies, no beardos, no weirdos, no wimps, no radicals. Just warriors,' Hegseth said.

The word 'trannies' is a derogatory slur for transgender people. Its use came as Hegseth highlighted policies aimed at reshaping military standards and transgender service, making the remark one of the most striking moments of the speech.

Hegseth Doubles Down on Military Overhaul

The controversial phrase was part of a much broader Hegseth military culture agenda. Hegseth said the Pentagon had moved away from diversity programmes, gender pronouns and identity-focused initiatives, declaring: 'The ideological clowns are out. The patriotic cowboys are in.'

He also pointed to tougher physical standards, more fitness testing and testosterone testing as examples of changes across the force.

Hegseth said he had already achieved a 10 per cent reduction in the number of generals and admirals and was targeting a 20 per cent cut.

The comments build on the policies he has pursued since taking over at the Pentagon, including tighter body-fat standards, changes to shaving waivers and efforts to reduce the number of senior officers.

Hegseth Accuses Media of 'Treason'

Hegseth's attack on journalists provided another explosive moment. While discussing coverage of the war with Iran, he accused sections of the media of harming the US military and described what he characterised as damaging reporting as 'treason'.

'It's a national betrayal. It's treason, actually,' he said. The comments came amid the seventh month of the conflict, while the Pentagon has faced scrutiny over military operations and its limited access for journalists.

New Base and 'Fortress America' Plan

The speech also contained major military announcements beyond the culture-war rhetoric. Hegseth said the US would pursue its first new military base in decades, inviting states to compete to host a major installation.

He separately unveiled FORTRESS America, a plan intended to give major US military installations independent power-generation capabilities rather than relying entirely on the commercial grid.

The proposals form part of Hegseth's wider effort to change how the Pentagon prepares for future conflicts.

Musk, Luckey and Gingrich Join Project Meridian

Hegseth also announced Project Meridian, a new effort focused on developing weapons and systems for future battlefields.

Under Secretary of Defence for Research and Engineering Emil Michael will lead the project, co-directed by Elon Musk, Anduril Industries co-founder Palmer Luckey, and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich. The group is expected to submit its findings within 120 days.

Hegseth separately announced the Autonomous Warfare Command, or AutoWarCom, a planned four-star combatant command designed to expand the military's use of autonomous and robotic systems, including drones and artificial intelligence. Establishing the command by October 1, 2027, will require congressional legislation.

A Different Quantico Reception

The setting mattered because Hegseth delivered a similar address at Quantico a year earlier. In September 2025, he spoke to about 800 generals, admirals and senior enlisted advisers. This time, the audience was largely made up of lower-ranking officers and enlisted personnel.

The difference was also visible in the room. Hegseth received a standing ovation at the end of Wednesday's address, in contrast to the restrained response from senior officers at last year's gathering.

Hegseth's latest speech therefore offered two very different messages at once: a sweeping technological push towards autonomous warfare and an unapologetically combative cultural agenda. But his own seven-word description of who belongs in the military is likely to linger longest: 'No fatties, no trannies, no beardos.'