News/Commentary

Sec of War Hegseth does a hilarious impression of Donald Trump

May 19, 2026 | | Print Article

A heated primary contest wasn’t without laughs as a cabinet member’s Kentucky stump included a “hilarious impression” of the commander-in-chief.

Earning frequent ire from President Donald Trump, Tuesday night was set to be a defining moment in MAGA politics as incumbent Rep. Thomas Massie faced a Republican primary opponent. Showing up in his personal capacity, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s support for the Trump-endorsed retired U.S. Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein included a lighthearted moment impersonating his boss.

About halfway through his speech, after reiterating steps taken throughout the Trump administration to nix woke from the military, Hegseth pulled back the curtain and took on the mannerisms and speech pattern of the president as he continued, “President Trump told me when he first offered me this job, he said, ‘Pete, you’re gonna have to be tough as sh*t.’ Sorry.”

“‘They’re gonna come after ya!’ And boy was he right,” added the secretary to the laughing crowd.

Following praise for Gallrein, Hegseth switched to ripping into Massie as he said, “At some point, being against everything becomes an excuse for accomplishing nothing. At some point, constant obstruction is not leadership, it’s just commentary. It’s obstruction.

“President Trump does not need more people in Washington who are trying to make a point, especially from his own party. He needs people willing to help him win, to vote with him when it matters most,” the secretary went on before later adding, “Too much grandstanding, too few great votes, years of acting like being difficult is the same thing as being courageous. It’s not. Real courage means stepping up when the mission matters most, when we need that tough vote to beat left-wing lunatic Democrats the most. Real courage means understanding that the country is facing existential threats and deciding to be part of the solution instead of constantly trying to position yourself above the fight.”

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What was apparent mere days after incumbent Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy became the first Republican senator to lose a primary in 14 years was that all eyes were on the Bluegrass State to see if Trump’s endorsement of Gallrein would prove sufficient to oust Massie from Congress.

One could easily foresee demonizing coverage from corporate media, no matter the outcome, as a win for Massie would be viewed as a blemish on the brand of the Trump endorsement, while Gallrein’s victory would be seen as further cause to mark the president as an authoritarian.

The congressman made note of the weight of the contest as he posted to social media early Tuesday, “I did not see this coming, but my election has become an inflection point for our whole country.”

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Meanwhile, as AdImpact reported $32.6 million in advertising expenses in the primary, making it the most expensive in history, users enjoyed the break from costly infighting to appreciate Hegseth’s impersonation.

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Kevin Haggerty
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