US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is currently facing significant backlash after posting a photo on X that body-shamed members of a Canadian youth development program, The Guardian reported. The post, which appeared on Monday night, featured an image of two individuals in uniform alongside a Canadian flag with the caption “this is real”. It was clearly intended to mock the Canadian armed forces during the ongoing trade tensions between the Trump administration and its neighbor. It turns out the photo was actually taken from an Instagram post by the Vernon Cadet Training Centre in British Columbia. The image depicts teenagers attending a summer camp, not members of the Canadian military. One of the subjects is a teenager no older than 18, and critics have pointed out that the individual being ridiculed is likely a volunteer instructor. Despite the intense criticism from both sides of the border, the post remained online on Wednesday. Prime Minister Mark Carney described the post as “beneath the office” of the secretary of defense. Carney also addressed the broader trend of attacks from US government officials, including the recent move by President Donald Trump to rename Lake Ontario by executive order. Hegseth’s post has drawn sharp rebukes from high-level officials Carney told reporters that it is time for Washington to “start being serious” about de-escalating trade tensions. Carney said, “When the Americans stop doing memes, stop throwing shade, stop trying to be tough and start being serious about having those discussions, we can have those discussions.” (this is real) pic.twitter.com/Ucx2FNdi1q— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) September 1, 2026 British Columbia premier David Eby also weighed in on the controversy. He stated, “It tells you everything you need to know about the amateur-hour, distracted, bizarre leadership that Americans are being subjected to.” The Army Cadet League of Canada, which is a civilian organization, went a step further by labeling the post online harassment. They noted, “Directing derogatory commentary toward youth who are actively working to better themselves and serve their communities is unacceptable.” The criticism isn’t limited to Canadian officials. Adam Kinzinger, a former Republican congressman and military veteran, posted on X, “Literally they’re kids. This is a cadet program and our a—t of a Secdef is making fun of children.” He added, “MAGA [Make America Great Again] males are betas who have to punch down to feel big.” Literally they’re kids. This is a cadet program and our ass hat of a Secdef is making fun of children.MAGA males are betas who have to punch down to feel big https://t.co/fyGi9kjxjb— Adam Kinzinger (Slava Ukraini) (@AdamKinzinger) September 1, 2026 Democratic Senator Ruben Gallego, who is also a former Marine, joined in by calling the post “stupid” and “disrespectful”. Canadian veteran Danny O’Regan shared his frustration on X as well, writing, “The Secretary of Defence is body shaming cadet groups. This is not a military unit. They are kids looking for adventure, test themselves and align themselves with the values of service. Don’t be a Pete.” The Pentagon has stood by the secretary, with deputy press secretary Jacob Bliss stating on Tuesday that “The X post speaks for itself.” This controversy arrives at a difficult time for Hegseth, who is already navigating internal struggles. Army chief Dan Driscoll resigned earlier this week following reports of internal clashes, and Democrats have claimed Hegseth has “hollowed out” senior military leadership. Hegseth has a history of making comments about physical appearance within the military, having previously told commanders in Virginia that “fat troops are tiring to look at” and that “It’s tiring to look out at combat formations, or really any formation, and see fat troops.”