A social media post by Pete Hegseth, the US secretary of defense, has sparked a furious backlash on both sides of the border. According to reports, Hegseth posted a photograph of two people in uniform with a Canadian flag and the caption “this is real”, an apparent attempt at mocking the country’s armed forces.
Backlash and Criticism
The post, which remained online on Wednesday, was widely criticized for body-shaming female members of a Canadian youth development program. Sources say the move was seen as an attempt to mock Canada’s armed forces amid a trade war. The incident has reportedly led to a significant backlash against Hegseth, with many calling for him to apologize or face consequences.
For more information on this story, visit the original article at https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/sep/02/pete-hegseth-body-shaming-post.
