CNN and Democrats Demand Pete Hegseth’s Job After Iowa State Fair Remark
War Secretary Pete Hegseth is facing a loud backlash after using a politically incorrect term for transgender people during a stop at the Iowa State Fair. The remark quickly set off CNN, Democratic senators, and activists on X.
According to Iowa Public Radio, Hegseth appeared at the fair on Wednesday to defend the Department of War’s $1.5 trillion budget request. He was also there to support Rep. Zach Nunn, who is facing a difficult reelection fight.
Hegseth later tried to fire up fairgoers with language about the department returning to fighting bad guys instead of focusing on DEI priorities. He said the military needed to restore what he called its warrior ethos.
“We’re restoring the warrior ethos inside our department because that matters,” Hegseth told fairgoers. “At the Department of War, we do training — not trannies,” he added.
A clip of the remarks spread on X and put the wording in front of a much wider audience.
???? LMAO! CNN is MELTING DOWN and accusing Pete Hegseth of using a "TRANSPHOBIC SLUR" during a speech at the Iowa State Fair
HEGSETH: "At the Department of War, we do TRAINING, not TRANNlES. The ONLY focus of our department: colorblind, gender neutral, merit based. THAT'S IT. We… pic.twitter.com/SY7iQmzsz9
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) August 19, 2026
CNN’s Jake Tapper quickly condemned Hegseth’s language. Tapper said, “Calling transgender people trannies, that’s obviously a slur,” and added, “Treat people with dignity.”
The dispute then moved into Democratic politics. Sen. Ed Markey said the comments insulted LGBTQ+ service members and veterans. He also said transgender service members have served the country with honor and dignity before calling for Hegseth’s resignation.
Pete Hegseth’s comments are abhorrent and an insult to LGBTQ+ service members and veterans. Transgender service members have and continue to serve our country with honor and dignity. Pete Hegseth must resign.
— Ed Markey (@EdMarkey) August 20, 2026
Sen. Raphael Warnock took an even more direct position, saying Hegseth should be fired immediately. Both senators posted their demands on Aug. 20, 2026.
Pete Hegseth should be fired immediately.
— Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (@SenatorWarnock) August 20, 2026
The backlash continued across X the next day. Posts described Hegseth’s phrase as a transphobic slur. One critic used profanity to attack him, while another argued that his position on transgender troops and testosterone therapy amounted to discrimination.
Hegseth uses transphobic slur at Iowa State Fair https://t.co/scs0fKejNB This is as nasty as it gets, this person who thinks he’s knows what a man is, NEEDS A COME TO JESUS MEETING. What a FLUNKY
— Sharon K Antico (@k_antico) August 21, 2026
At the Department of War, we do training — not trannies?
WHAT A FUCKING ASSHOLE!#NYT #WSJ #LATIMES https://t.co/c9Tz4XBfjV pic.twitter.com/LWWWKghlua
— stanvetusn (@stanvetusn) August 21, 2026
Pete Hegseth used a slur to attack transgender troops this week.
Earlier this summer, he approved giving cisgender troops testosterone therapy. But at the same time, he argues transgender troops can be kicked out for needing that same hormone therapy.
That’s discrimination. pic.twitter.com/1UuNKe9GEa
— Christopher Street Project (@ChrisStreetProj) August 21, 2026
The controversy has created a familiar political split. CNN and Democratic lawmakers focused on the term Hegseth used. His defenders focused on the larger argument that the Department of War should emphasize training, merit, and a warrior ethos instead of DEI.
The source article’s assessment was blunt: media figures and their left-wing allies were focusing heavily on one word from the War Secretary while larger national problems remained. Either way, the Iowa State Fair remark has produced immediate condemnation from a CNN anchor, two Democratic senators, and multiple activists online.