George Clooney condemns Pete Hegseth for mocking Canadian military cadets

George Clooney said he was “ashamed” of Pete Hegseth’s social media post mocking two female Canadian military cadets. Hegseth, the U.S. defense secretary, had posted an image of the cadets at a British Columbia training center with the words “this is real” and a Canadian flag.

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The idea that cruelty is the base, that being cruel and unkind is part of the fun of all of this.

Clooney made his comments at the Venice Film Festival, where he received a Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the opening ceremony. “The idea that cruelty is the base, that being cruel and unkind is part of the fun of all of this,” he told reporters. He questioned the decency behind a defense secretary posting an image about women in Canada’s military.

“I’m ashamed of all of that, but we will get through it, and we will come out better on the other side,” Clooney said. He also described the current political period in the United States as unfortunate and compared it with earlier crises, including the violence and political upheaval of 1968.

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I’m ashamed of all of that, but we will get through it, and we will come out better on the other side.

Clooney said the November midterm elections could provide a check and balance and perhaps restore “some normalcy” by 2028. He described the United States as possibly experiencing a “kakistocracy,” meaning government by the least qualified people.

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Beneath their office.

Prime Minister Mark Carney also criticized Hegseth’s message, calling it “beneath their office.” Referring to U.S.-Canada trade talks, Carney said the Americans should stop “throwing shade” and start taking discussions seriously. British Columbia Premier David Eby called the post “an embarrassment.”

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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.