President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth addressed hundreds of top commanders from around the world.

"The View" co-hosts took issue with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth talking to military officers on Tuesday about increasing fitness standards, accusing him of "fat-shaming" U.S. troops.

"Outrageous! Pete Hegseth's fiery speech at military meeting sparks viral mockery. Find out why viewers can't stop talking about his

President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth held a rare and powerful meeting with nearly 800 top US military leaders at Quantico on September 30, 2025. Secretary Hegseth announced sweeping changes to restore what he called the “warrior ethos.

After listing the proposed changes, Hegseth gave the assembled officers a warning: “If the words I’m speaking today are making your hearts sink, then you should do the honorable thing and resign.” If the commanders wanted to better understand what he was saying, he jokingly told them, they could pick up a copy of his book.

Former defense secretary Leon Panetta criticized Pete Hegseth's speech to military brass on Tuesday while questioning his ability to lead.

The View’s Sunny Hostin strongly criticized Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on Tuesday after he unveiled new measures to tighten physical fitness requirements across the U.S. military, calling his remarks “bizarre” and “not an uplifting message.

Pete Hegseth tells top military leaders summoned to Quantico that our enemies will ‘FAFO’: Live updates - Secretary of War delivering motivational address to top brass at Marine Corps base in Quantico,