English
Actor George Clooney publicly condemned U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday after Hegseth mocked two female Canadian military cadets on social media. Clooney expressed his criticism while attending the Venice Film Festival, where he received a Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the opening ceremony.
Clooney Speaks Out Against Hegseth’s Social Media Post
Hegseth sparked widespread backlash earlier in the week when he posted an image on X of two female cadets at a British Columbia training centre, captioning it with the words “this is real” alongside a Canadian flag emoji. The post drew immediate criticism from Canadian officials and public figures.
Stay connected to every major update — subscribe and follow us on the PhoenixQ website and across our social media platforms.
Speaking to reporters in Venice, Clooney did not hold back. “You see what the secretary of defense just tweeted out — a picture about women in the military in Canada — and you’re going, ‘What’s wrong with you? Where’s the sense of decency in all of this?'” the 65-year-old actor said. He described the post as an example of cruelty being treated as entertainment. “The idea that cruelty is the base — that being cruel and unkind is part of the fun of all of this,” he added. “And I’m ashamed of all of that, but we will get through it, and we will come out better on the other side.”
Clooney also addressed the broader political climate in the United States under President Donald Trump. While acknowledging the current moment as deeply troubling, he said he remained optimistic. “We’re at a moment in time that’s unfortunate — and that’s an understatement,” he said. He drew comparisons to 1968, recalling widespread urban unrest, the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy, and military deployments around the U.S. Capitol. “We’ve had some other difficult times, but this is one of them,” he said.
Clooney Points to Midterms as a Path Forward
The actor suggested the November midterm elections could serve as a corrective force. “There’s a great word, kakistocracy, which is a country run by the least qualified people,” Clooney said. “I think maybe we have a kakistocracy right now, but we’ll get through it.” He expressed hope that the midterms would restore checks and balances, and that the 2028 presidential election would bring further stability.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney also responded to Hegseth’s post, calling it “beneath their office.” Carney connected the remarks to ongoing U.S.-Canada trade tensions, saying constructive dialogue requires seriousness rather than social media taunts. “When the Americans stop doing memes, stop throwing shade and stop trying to be tough, and start being serious about having those discussions, we can have those discussions,” he said. “It’s not constructive, but that’s their democracy.”
Canadian Officials and Organizations Condemn the Remarks
British Columbia Premier David Eby called Hegseth’s post “an embarrassment.” He placed the remarks in the context of the U.S. conflict with Iran, describing it as “a war that was supposed to be over in a few days.” Eby said attacking volunteer cadets from a longstanding allied nation reflected poorly on American military leadership. “It tells you everything you need to know about the amateur hour,” he said.
Defence Minister David McGuinty echoed those sentiments, stating the post was “below the dignity of the office he holds.” When reporters asked the Pentagon about the backlash on Tuesday, deputy press secretary Jacob Bliss offered a brief response to The Canadian Press: “The X post speaks for itself.”
The Army Cadet League of Canada also issued a formal statement defending its members. The organization described its programs as providing world-class leadership, citizenship, and physical fitness training to tens of thousands of young Canadians at no cost. “We strongly condemn any online harassment or mockery of cadets’ achievements,” the statement read. “Directing derogatory commentary toward youth who are actively working to better themselves and serve their communities is unacceptable.” The League concluded by reaffirming its pride in cadets and the volunteers who support them, adding the hashtag #NoPlaceForHate.
