Trump and Hegseth Deliver Unconventional Address to Top US Military Commanders

Trump and Hegseth Gathered U.S. Military Leaders for an "Embarrassing" Rant In a highly unusual gathering at Marine Corps Base in Quantico, Virginia, on September 30, 2025, President Donald Trump and his self-styled Secretary of War Pete Hegseth addressed top U.S. military commanders from around the world. The meeting, which had been shrouded in secrecy, ended with both men delivering speeches that were widely criticized by defense officials as "embarrassing" and lacking substance. According to multiple sources, including three defense officials who spoke with The Intercept, Hegseth's address was marked by "confusing contradictions, wild-eyed cheerleading, and politically charged rhetoric." One official described it as a "rant little different than his social media posts." Trump followed Hegseth's speech with a long, rambling address that only sporadically touched on military topics. At one point, the president warned the assembled military leaders of a war from within, sparking concerns about his understanding of national security threats. The gathering, which was attended by some 200 top generals and admirals, had been the subject of speculation in recent days. Critics accused Trump and Hegseth of using the meeting as an opportunity to promote their own agendas rather than address pressing military issues. "This was not a serious discussion about national security or defense policy," said one defense official. "It was a platform for Trump and Hegseth to spout off their usual talking points." The meeting's purpose and agenda had been shrouded in secrecy, fueling speculation about its true objectives. While the White House described it as an opportunity for Trump to consult with military leaders on national security issues, critics accused the administration of using the gathering to further its own interests. In a statement released after the meeting, the Pentagon said that the gathering was "a routine consultation between the president and senior military leaders." However, defense officials who attended the meeting described it as anything but routine. The controversy surrounding the meeting is likely to continue in the coming days. The Intercept reported that several defense officials are planning to speak out about their concerns with Trump's and Hegseth's speeches. As one official put it: "We're not just talking about an embarrassing speech – we're talking about a lack of seriousness and substance from the top leaders of this country." Background The meeting was held at Marine Corps Base in Quantico, Virginia, which is home to the U.S. Marine Corps' Combat Development Command. The base has been used for various military gatherings and events over the years. Additional Perspectives Some defense officials defended Trump's and Hegseth's speeches, saying that they were intended to inspire and motivate the military leaders in attendance. "I think it was a great opportunity for the president to connect with our senior leaders," said one official. "It's not every day we get to meet with the commander-in-chief." However, critics argue that such events should be focused on policy discussions rather than personal appearances by the president and his advisors. Current Status The controversy surrounding the meeting is likely to continue in the coming days. The Pentagon has declined to comment further on the gathering, while Trump's and Hegseth's offices have released statements defending their speeches. As one defense official put it: "This is not over yet." *Reporting by Theintercept.*