Pete Hegseth faces criticism over Project Meridian leadership

Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel criticized Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth following the Secretary’s ‘State of the Force’ speech. Kimmel highlighted perceived contradictions in Hegseth’s rhetoric regarding the composition of the military and the leadership of his new Pentagon task force, Project Meridian.

During his monologue, Kimmel pointed to Hegseth’s pledge to exclude certain demographics—using the phrase ‘no fatties, no trannies, no beardos, no weirdos’—and contrasted it with the individuals selected to lead Project Meridian. Kimmel noted that the group includes Elon Musk, Newt Gingrich, and Palmer Luckey, specifically mocking Luckey’s appearance by displaying a Wikipedia photo of him in a Hawaiian shirt, mullet, and goatee.

Kimmel also commented on Hegseth’s plan to reduce the number of generals and admirals by 20 percent, suggesting the new leadership structure under Project Meridian would replace them.