Trump and Hegseth Host "Unconventional" Meeting with Top Military Leaders at Quantico Base

Trump and Hegseth Gathered U.S. Military Leaders for an "Embarrassing" Rant On Tuesday, September 30, 2025, President Donald Trump and his self-styled Secretary of War Pete Hegseth gathered the largest single gathering of top military brass in memory at Marine Corps Base in Quantico, Virginia. The meeting, which had been shrouded in secrecy for days, ended with a series of speeches that left many defense officials stunned. According to eyewitnesses, Hegseth began the proceedings with an "unhinged address" filled with confusing contradictions and wild-eyed cheerleading. He warned the assembled military leaders of a war from within, sparking concerns among some about his understanding of national security threats. Trump followed Hegseth's speech with a long, rambling address that only sporadically touched on military topics. While he did mention the importance of maintaining a strong military, his remarks were largely focused on his own accomplishments and grievances against his critics. Three defense officials who spoke to The Intercept called Trump's speech "embarrassing" and criticized Hegseth for gathering the military's top commanders from around the world for what they described as a "rant little different than his social media posts." "This was not a serious discussion about national security or military strategy," said one official. "It was just a platform for Trump to vent his frustrations and promote himself." The meeting had been shrouded in secrecy, with officials refusing to disclose the agenda or purpose of the gathering until it was over. However, sources close to the White House suggested that Hegseth had been pushing for a more aggressive approach to national security, including increased military action against perceived threats. Background and Context The meeting comes at a time when Trump's relationship with the military is under scrutiny. Critics have accused him of politicizing the military by using troops to quell protests and occupy American cities. The gathering also raises questions about Hegseth's qualifications for his role as Secretary of War, given his lack of experience in national security or military affairs. Additional Perspectives While some defense officials were critical of Trump's speech, others defended it as a necessary reminder of the importance of maintaining a strong military. "I think the president was trying to send a message about the need for a robust military presence around the world," said one official. "It may not have been delivered in the most effective way, but I don't think it was malicious." Current Status and Next Developments The aftermath of the meeting is likely to be marked by continued scrutiny of Trump's relationship with the military and Hegseth's role as Secretary of War. As one official noted, "This is not going to go away anytime soon." In response to questions about the meeting, a White House spokesperson said only that it was a "productive discussion" about national security issues. The incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing tensions between Trump and the military establishment, which has been critical of his policies on everything from troop deployments to military aid for foreign allies. As one defense official noted, "This is not just about policy; it's about trust and credibility." Attributions Three defense officials who spoke to The Intercept One source close to the White House A White House spokesperson *Reporting by Theintercept.*