President-elect Donald Trump has just named Pete Hegseth, an army veteran and Fox News host, Defense Secretary. Since then, videos from 2019 of Hegseth boldly declaring he hasn't washed his hands in a decade and that he doesn't believe in germs because he can't see them are doing the rounds online.
In the video, Pete Hegseth says, much to his co-worker's bewilderment:
"I don't think I've washed my hands for ten years. Really, I don't wash my hands ever. No! I innoculate myself. Germs are not a real thing. I can't see them, therefore they're not real. I can't get sick."
Upon catching wind of the clip, the internet went ballistic. Several chimed in to ridicule the veteran, with many joking about what his new role in Trump's cabinet is going to be:
"Just think how much the new Secretary of Defense will save the Pentagon in soap costs."
Several concurred while others weighed in to mock him:
"By the same logic, I guess intelligent Trump voters aren’t a real thing either," one user mocked.
"Did he have to tell everyone about his poor hygiene habits?" another questioned.
"it's not even the 1st inning & already it's a clown show," another asserted.
"'Germs aren't real, I can't see them!' This incredible genius must be utterly perplexed every time he walks out of the house and a gust of wind blows past," somebody else joked.
Scores online began ridiculing the host.
"If this is his idea of a joke, it's disgusting. If it's not, it's disgusting," one user asserted.
"I just hope the Generals at the Pentagon have someone to talk to tonight," someone else prayed.
"Sadly, I remember this very clip during COVID. And it was stupid then. You're telling me THIS GUY is going to be secretary of defense?" another asked.
"So I guess we’ll be hearing about an e. coli breakout at the Pentagon," another posited.
However, a handful online jumped to Pete Hegseth's defense, noting that his "laughter was a dead giveaway" that he was kidding.
Pete Hegseth claims he was just joking and claims the media is too "self-righteous and angry”
According to The Guardian, Pete Hegseth's declaration was prompted by a discussion over eating unrefrigerated, day-old pizza. He divulged that he didn't see it as an issue before making his contentious comments.
In now-deleted tweets, he took to Twitter to clear the air. He promised that he was joking and then ridiculed the internet for being so “self-righteous and angry.”
According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, washing your hands with "soap and water is the best way to get rid of germs in most situations. If not, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol."
In speaking about his choice for Secretary of Defense, Donald Trump stated:
"Pete is tough, smart and a true believer in America First. With Pete at the helm, America’s enemies are on notice — our military will be great again, and America will never back down.”
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According to The Guardian, Trump once favored Hegseth as the Department of Veterans Affairs leader. The role puts him in charge of the health and well-being of about 20 million Americans.
Pete Hegseth is most known as one of the co-hosts on Fox & Friends, having joined the company in 2014. He is also a combat veteran; he served during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Nevertheless, his appointment has attracted mixed reactions online.
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