John Oliver Takes Aim at Pete Hegseth’s Record and Pentagon Decisions

John Oliver used his latest show to deliver a pointed assessment of Pete Hegseth, the U.S. defense secretary, moving from jokes about the official’s workouts to criticism of his decisions and public record. Oliver noted the scale of the department Hegseth leads, saying it has a budget exceeding $1 trillion and employs 3.4 million people. The host played video of Hegseth exercising alongside service members and cited a fitness expert’s description of his kettlebell technique as unusually gentle. Oliver also revisited Hegseth’s remarks about physical standards for troops, arguing that the speech sounded less like an inspirational address than a children’s book read aloud by someone who had been concussed. Oliver then listed controversies and decisions he associated with Hegseth’s leadership, including the Signal messaging episode, Caribbean boat strikes and the war in Iran. He also criticized the secretary’s attention to service members’ testosterone levels and what Oliver called poor personnel choices. Among them, he cited the decision not to discipline helicopter pilots after a low flyover near Kid Rock’s home, followed by the firing of a general who backed an inquiry, as well as the removal of senior military lawyers. The program also looked back at Hegseth’s television appearances before he joined the administration, including segments involving bull riding, sumo wrestling and a skateboard stunt. Oliver highlighted an ax-throwing demonstration on Fox News in which Hegseth missed the target; footage shown on the program captured the ax striking a marching-band drummer in the background. Oliver said his show had asked the Pentagon for comment. He described the department’s response as hostile, quoting a spokesperson’s instruction to “Deport John Oliver” after the program raised questions about Hegseth’s past statements. Oliver ended by urging newly elected lawmakers to remove Hegseth from his position. The article presents Oliver’s commentary and the events he cited; it does not report a new action against the secretary.