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By Alice Gibbs
Senior Reporter
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After Secretary of State Marco Rubio briefly spoke Spanish at the Shield of the Americas conference last week, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth followed him to the podium with a remark that quickly overshadowed the exchange.
Standing at the lectern, Hegseth said: "I only speak American."
The comment, delivered moments after Rubio addressed the audience in Spanish, was met with a muted response in the room but rapidly spread online after clips of the moment circulated across social media.
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One widely shared video posted by TikToker @krassenstein, whose account says they are "fighting against hate and misinformation," showed the exchange and prompted sharp criticism, with the creator writing: "Our country is being run by morons."
The U.S. Department of War declined to comment further when approached by Newsweek.
Why It Matters
The remark struck a nerve online because it came during a conference involving leaders from across the Western Hemisphere, many of whom represent Spanish‑speaking nations.
The Shield of the Americas summit was intended to showcase cooperation and shared priorities in the region, but the comment instead has fueled a series of comments and reactions online.
Critics on social media argued that the phrase "American" does not refer to a language at all, while others viewed the remark as dismissive given the setting. Supporters, however, framed it as an off‑the‑cuff joke that was being taken out of context.
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What To Know
Clips of Hegseth’s comment circulated widely across platforms including TikTok and X, prompting thousands of reactions within hours. Responses ranged from anger and disbelief to humor and approval.
Among the comments shared widely were: "What is American? The USA doesn't have its own language," and even one commenter on TikTok who said: "This Trump administration is a clear and present danger to the USA."
Others were more personal in their criticism, with one user writing, "Nobody ever accused Hegseth of being bright!" and another adding, "Jesus Christ I can’t take much more."
Not all reactions were negative. Some commenters defended the moment as lighthearted, with one writing: "That is funny. I love that they are serious when they need to be and can crack up jokes when they need to," while another described the exchange as "a bunch of comedians running the country."
Several users also pointed out that English is the primary language used in U.S. government, responding simply: "English. You speak English!"
@krassenstein Pete Hegseth really just said this! #american #english #hegseth #stupid #greenscreenvideo ♬ original sound—Brian & Ed Krassenstein
What Happens Next
Neither Hegseth nor the Department of Defense has publicly addressed the backlash surrounding the comment. Rubio has also not commented on the viral moment.
As the clip continues to circulate, the exchange has become the latest flashpoint in ongoing online debates over political rhetoric, diplomacy and how senior officials present the United States on the international stage.
Update, 03/09/26 10:12 a.m. ET: This story was updated with additional information.
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