Maher roasts Hegseth military meeting: ‘A manly administration’
Comedian Bill Maher on Friday mocked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s recent speech to the nation’s top generals and admirals, joking that under President Trump the U.S. has a “manly administration.”
Hegseth and Trump welcomed roughly 800 of the U.S. military’s top officials to Quantico, Va., earlier this week. The Defense chief used the moment to address his plans to revamp the Defense Department, including new health standards.
“Because that is the thing you want to do most,” Maher said. “You want to get your most critical people in the command structure all gathered in one room. Hopefully with the doors locked from the outside.”
“And then Pete gave them a TEDx talk about how much he has had it with the military,” the host added, in comments highlighted by Mediaite. “Which is too gay, too woke, too sloppy, too badly groomed, too obese.”
The comedian continued on the topic of grooming, using Hegseth’s own words, “No more beardos.”
“I’m not kidding, he used that word,” Maher said. “I’ve never heard that word. Apparently, a combination of ‘weirdo’ and ‘beard.'”
The TV host noted that half of Hegseth’s speech “was about a warrior ethos that we want, and manly men, and the other half was about grooming tips.”
He added, “Really. Because nothing says warrior ethos like, ‘What products do you use?'”
At the gathering, Hegseth told the generals that he wanted strict fitness standards to be enforced and that every service member at every rank will now be required to take a physical fitness test.
“Frankly, it’s tiring to look out at combat formations, or really any formation, and see fat troops,” he said. “Likewise, it’s completely unacceptable to see fat generals and admirals in the halls of the Pentagon leading commands around the country and the world.”
As for grooming, Hegseth said there would be “no more beards, long hair, superficial, individual expression.”
“We’re going to cut our hair, shape up, shave our beards and adhere to standards, because it’s like the broken windows theory of policing,” he said.
“It’s like, you let the small stuff go, the big stuff eventually goes,” the Defense chief added. “If you want a beard, you can join special forces. If not, then shave.”
The comments received praised from Vice President Vance and podcaster Joe Rogan. California Gov. Gavin Newsom used it to mock the president’s weight, saying, “I guess the Commander in Chief needs to go!”