Time to Clutch the Pearls: Jake Tapper Is BIG MAD at Pete Hegseth for Alleged 'Slur' in Iowa

One of the reasons 78 million Americans voted for Donald Trump in 2024 is that he speaks bluntly. There is no political correctness or beating around the bush when Trump speaks. He's going to tell you what he thinks, no matter whose feelings it hurts, and people love that about him.

In his second administration, that goes for pretty much everyone in his Cabinet as well, including Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. A couple of days ago, Hegseth was in Iowa at a campaign event for Rep. Zach Nunn, and he told the audience — to tremendous applause — what the military under his and Trump's leadership is all about. Watch:

Pete Hegseth says "At the Department of War we do Training, not Trannies!"
"Colorblind, Gender Neutral, Merit-Based, that's it, we want the best! And anybody with half a brain knows that's Common Sense! I guess Common Sense isn't all that common in Washington" pic.twitter.com/Rm9YRTmapF
— Chris Plante Show (@ChrisPlanteShow) August 19, 2026

What a refreshing change from the Biden administration, when a man dressed as a woman was elevated to the rank of admiral on that basis alone, not because of anything resembling merit.

But, of course, Hegseth's direct (and accurate) words triggered all of the usual suspects, who demand that he be fired as often as they drink a morning cup of coffee.

Pete Hegseth should be fired immediately.
— Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (@SenatorWarnock) August 20, 2026

That's pretty rich coming from Warnock, who once ran over his ex-wife's foot with his car and who embraced a Nazi tattoo-wearing woman abuser for Senate in Maine.

But when it comes to pearl-clutching, no one can grasp or gasp harder and louder than the leftist legacy media. Last night, Tony Fauci's bestie and the man who covered up Biden's dementia until he could profit from it, Jake Tapper, scolded Hegseth for uttering such a disrespectful slur.

🔥 JUST IN: CNN is currently fuming that SecWar Pete Hegseth used a so-called "SLUR" against "trans people"

HEGSETH: "At the Dept. of War, we do TRAINING — not TRANNIES!"

"Color blind, gender neutral, merit-based. That's it. We want the best."

TAPPER: "Calling transgender… pic.twitter.com/eAyUfdOtVE
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) August 19, 2026

... trannies is obviously a SLUR they don't like! Treat people with dignity."

Treat people with dignity?

Like how Tapper DIDN'T call out Jimmy Kimmel when he fantasized about Melania Trump becoming a widow very soon?

Or when Tapper invited Rosie O'Donnell on his show to also fantasize about Trump's death and accuse him of being a child sexual predator?

Is that the 'dignity' he means?

Maybe @jaketapper should focus on reporting real news instead of behaving like an activist. https://t.co/lRo0QzgC4I
— Kate (@kate_p45) August 20, 2026

He wouldn't know how if he tried.

Also, we can't remember Tapper getting his undies in a bunch like this when LGBTQ activists referred to normal people with the slur 'cis.'

Weird.

I'm sorry if they are offended. I'm offended, too... by their lifestyle. So we're even.
— MOMof DataRepublican (@data_republican) August 20, 2026

This was a slur against women... pic.twitter.com/ZqN3E7knxD
— Tim Conrad (@TimConradB623) August 19, 2026

And it was far more destructive to America than a harmless word like 'trannies.'

Who, by the way, have no business serving in the military given their inherent mental instability and propensity for violent, irrational outbursts.

Tapper never clutched his pearls when the president was shot.

But he wants to clutch pearls over this?? This is where he wants to draw his line in the sand?? Training vs. trannies??

Pull up your pants and stand up like a man Tapper. Within another few hours, you’ll be scorched… https://t.co/8BHVcAg1r4
— Michelle🍊 (@Montchelle66_2) August 20, 2026

... earth about some illegal pedophile who was denied bail.

Good grief! You sure are more sensitive than any white liberal woman I know….

The next thing we know, there will be a video of Tapper hurling ice cubes at his bathtub.

(If you haven't seen this trend on TikTok, trust us ... you don't want to know.)

I’m sure Hegseth is very hurt that Tapper feels this way. LOL https://t.co/T9kqCMqzSs
— Formerlyknownas_Stan🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@onceknownasstan) August 19, 2026

LOL. Not bloody likely.

One of Tapper's guests, former Kamala Harris apparatchik Adrienne Elrod, did make a valid point that it is unusual for a Secretary of War to go out on the campaign trail. But it's certainly not unheard of.

And we're guessing that she is as clueless about Iowa voters as Harris was if she thinks that Hegseth's speech was going to land poorly with them.

Yea Pete!! ❤️🇺🇸❤️ https://t.co/PYKpv0kP1j
— Rita Z (@RitaZ143) August 19, 2026

That's more likely to be the reaction across the Hawkeye State.

>Training not trannies https://t.co/zSxVICtJxH pic.twitter.com/9uvcoj4bXr
— Konrad Curze Banquent (@OpsecCurze) August 20, 2026

“At the Department of War, we do TRAINING, not TRANNIES” https://t.co/3n7kWJAWk3 pic.twitter.com/RBnKGkf64T
— ICElationist (@ICElationist) August 20, 2026

And that.

Just when I thought I couldn't respect Hegseth more 🇺🇸 https://t.co/PChEgpZJiz
— ✝️ Shawna Nonna 🇺🇸 (@ShawnaNonna) August 20, 2026

If Tapper wants anyone to believe that he is truly outraged, he should try for a little consistency in his pearl-clutching.

However, the leftist media's current obsession, especially at CNN, is destroying cancer survivor Natalie Harp because she is loyal to President Trump, who helped save her life.

So, somehow, we're having a difficult time taking Jake Tapper seriously when he scolds Pete Hegseth about 'treating people with dignity.'

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Editor's Note: Thanks to President Trump and War Secretary Pete Hegseth's leadership, the warrior ethos is coming back to America's military.

Help us continue to report on Trump and Hegseth's successes as they make our military great again. Join Twitchy VIP and use promo code FIGHT to receive 60% off your membership.