Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's euphemistic applause line landed with a thud before an audience of top military brass — and the awkward pause did not go unnoticed on social media.
The defense secretary ordered hundreds of U.S. military leaders from around the world for an unusual gathering in Quantico, Virginia, where the former Fox News host regaled them with a pep talk on the "warrior ethos" he believes is currently lacking. A particular portion of the speech stood out to observers.
"Should our enemies choose foolishly to challenge us, they will be crushed by the violence, precision, and ferocity of the War Department," Hegseth said. "To our enemies, FAFO."
Hegseth spelled out the abbreviation, which is a genteelism for the phrase, "f--k around and find out," then paused for a moment surveying the room.
It remained silent – save for one audible "woohoo" – in keeping with Pentagon rules regarding speeches by military commanders.
"If necessary, our troops can translate that for you," the secretary added.
Social media users reacted to the content of Hegseth's speech and the reaction in the room.
“'To our enemies: FAFO,'" said the widely followed Tennessee Holler account. "Holds for applause that doesn’t come. Cringey awkward moment as Hegseth summons all generals to hear him do a one-man show about how strong we are."
"Him spelling out FAFO instead of saying f--k around and find out is parody," agreed Bluesky user Earl Verdant. "That he followed it with a pause and a grin like he was expecting applause is beyond parody."
"So he def keeps dropping lines he expects applause for and in the clips I watched there's dead silence every time. Has he gotten a zilch reaction the whole speech?" noted tech consultant Aram Zucker-Scharff. "A single person gives a lackluster cheer for FAFO."
"Enjoying myself imagining the thousand yard stares that all the four star generals must be greeting this with," posted The Atlantic's Helen Lewis.
"Major ROFL says FAFO. China responds YOLO. Rest of the world FUBAR," replied Bluesky user lucidbeaming.
"This is, no exaggeration, some of the most loser s--t i have ever seen in my life," said New York Times columnist Jamelle Bouie.
"These clips from the secretary’s speech have the same energy as a 9 year old boy who decided to start a secret club and is explaining to his friends why they should all call themselves 'the vipers' from now on," quipped Vox's Elias Isquith.