Gavin Newsom compares Pete Hegseth to 'Simpsons' character Ralph Wiggum

Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News on Sep 30, 2025

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California Gov. Gavin Newsom mocked the president and the secretary of defense following the pair’s address to military leaders Tuesday morning outside Washington, D.C.

Hundreds of top-ranked officers from all around the globe convened to hear Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth begin the event with a 45-minute speech about his disdain for overweight generals and soldiers, “dudes in dresses” and “beardos,” as he described service members with facial hair.

“Move out and draw fire, because we are the War Department. Godspeed,” the former Fox News host and military veteran concluded his pep talk.

President Donald Trump issued a Sept. 5 executive order making “Secretary of War” Hegseth’s secondary title.

Gov. Newsom then replied to Hegseth’s speech by posting a photo of bumbling cartoon character Ralph Wiggum from “The Simpsons” wetting his pants with the words “I’m War Secretary” written over his head.

The 57-year-old Democratic governor is widely talked about as a possible 2028 presidential candidate to succeed Trump, whom Newsom also mocked on social media Tuesday.

“I guess the Commander in Chief needs to go!” he wrote above a photo of the president’s gut hanging over his waistline after Hegseth told military leaders that “it’s completely unacceptable to see fat generals and admirals in the halls of the Pentagon leading commands around the country and the world.”

Trump, who spoke after Hegseth on Tuesday, has made clear he’s no fan of the “incompetent” California leader he refers to as “Governor Newscum.”

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