Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth sparked widespread mockery after attempting to recreate Sydney Sweeney's viral American Eagle advertisement with his own "thirst trap" photo on social media.

According to Daily Mail, the 45-year-old Pentagon chief posted an image on the Department of Defense Rapid Response X account showing himself stepping off a plane in sunglasses, a blazer, and tight-fitting blue jeans. The caption read: "Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has good jeans," mimicking Sweeney's controversial American Eagle campaign.

The post quickly drew criticism across social media platforms, with many questioning the priorities of the Department of Defense during Hegseth's tenure. Critics labeled the photo "cringe" and called it an inappropriate "thirst trap" from a high-ranking government official.

Trump Administration Embraces Sweeney Connection

The controversial post comes as the Trump administration has publicly embraced actress Sydney Sweeney following revelations that she's a registered Republican voter in Florida. The 27-year-old Hollywood star recently became the center of a cultural firestorm over her American Eagle jeans campaign.

President Trump himself weighed in on the controversy, stating, "Sydney Sweeney, a registered Republican, has the 'HOTTEST' ad out there. It's for American Eagle, and the jeans are 'flying off the shelves.' Go get 'em Sydney!" This endorsement came after liberal critics attacked Sweeney's campaign, with some even describing it as "Nazi propaganda" due to her blonde hair, blue eyes, and pale skin.

The administration's support for Sweeney reflects a broader political strategy of embracing cultural flashpoints. When asked about Sweeney's political leanings, Trump initially seemed surprised before expressing approval: "If Sydney Sweeney is a registered Republican, I think her ad is fantastic."

Hegseth's Mounting Pentagon Challenges

While Hegseth attempts to ride the wave of Sweeney's viral moment, he faces significant challenges within his department that are raising questions about his leadership capabilities.

Less than two months into his term as Secretary of Defense, Hegseth became embroiled in the "Signalgate" scandal, where a journalist was unintentionally included in a discussion about a military strike in Yemen. This security breach highlighted potential operational vulnerabilities within the department under his watch.

The Pentagon chief has also been battling leaks from within his own department, suggesting internal discord and a lack of cohesion under his leadership. These issues stand in stark contrast to the lighthearted social media post that many critics view as a distraction from more serious matters.

The Original Sweeney Campaign Controversy

The American Eagle campaign that inspired Hegseth's controversial post features Sweeney modeling various denim looks with the slogan "Sydney Sweeney has good jeans" – a play on words referring to both the clothing and genetics.

In the campaign video, Sweeney buttons up her jeans and says: "Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair color, personality, and even eye color… my genes are blue." Another ad shows the camera panning down her chest as she models a plunging denim jumpsuit before adding, "Hey, eyes up here."

The advertisements sparked heated debate online, with conservatives defending Sweeney against what they describe as "woke" criticism targeting her appearance. The controversy has transformed what began as a simple clothing advertisement into a political battleground.

Public Reaction To Pentagon Post

Social media reactions to Hegseth's recreation of the Sweeney advertisement have been overwhelmingly negative, with many questioning the appropriateness of such content from a defense department account.

"The social feed has nothing better to do than post an @SecDef thirst trap?" one critic asked on social media. Another added: "We're not a serious country anymore," reflecting broader concerns about the administration's priorities and professional standards.

Other comments mocked the secretary's appearance and fashion choices, with one observer noting: "Those jeans look like they chafe, my dude." The post has become yet another lightning rod for criticism in Hegseth's already contentious tenure at the Pentagon.