Social media platforms are abuzz with a rumor that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated, “women are too emotional to lead.” This alleged remark has sparked considerable criticism and raised questions about its veracity, prompting a need for a fact check.
The claim originated on X, where a post attributed this quote to Hegseth. The accompanying caption sarcastically suggested that Hegseth’s own testosterone levels should be checked, implying he might be overemotional himself, and humorously labeled him an “estrogenist.” This post specifically targeted Hegseth’s recent policy mandating annual testosterone screenings for military personnel over 30, referring to it as the creation of a “High-T Department of War.” The post has garnered significant attention, with nearly a hundred thousand views, and has elicited strong negative reactions, indicating that many users believe the claim to be true.
However, a thorough investigation reveals that Pete Hegseth did not make the precise statement, “women are too emotional to lead.” While Hegseth has a history of making comments perceived as sexist regarding women in combat roles, which have indeed drawn disapproval, there is no evidence to support this specific quote. An extensive search of prominent news media and online sources did not yield any reports confirming this remark, beyond his previously publicized views on women in combat. Had such a statement been made by a figure of his stature, it would undoubtedly have been widely reported and debated.
In a podcast released in 2024, Hegseth expressed his opinion that “the military should not have women in combat roles” and that “men in those positions are more capable.” He elaborated on “The Shawn Ryan Show,” stating that integrating women into combat roles “hasn’t made us more effective, hasn’t made us more lethal, has made fighting more complicated.” He reiterated his stance on another podcast in June of the same year, remarking that women are “life-givers, not life-takers.” He further suggested on “The Ben Shapiro Show” that women could serve in roles like medics or helicopter pilots, but their presence in combat creates “variables and complications that have nothing to do with being anti-women and everything to do with having the most effective military.”
The circulation of the rumor coincided with Hegseth’s announcement of a new Pentagon policy requiring all service members aged 30 and above to undergo annual screening for testosterone deficiency. Hegseth announced this initiative in an X video titled “High-T Department,” explaining, “I’m authorizing a new screening program for testosterone deficiency for our service members, ensuring you have the right testosterone levels to operate at your absolute best.”
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