U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was ridiculed over the weekend after a statement in which he announced closer cooperation with China and declared, "God bless both China and the USA!"
Hegseth on Saturday took to social media to disclose the new stance toward a nation previously treated as an adversary by the administration.
"I just spoke to President Trump, and we agree — the relationship between the United States and China has never been better. Following President Trump’s historic meeting with Chairman Xi in South Korea, I had an equally positive meeting with my counterpart, China’s Minister of National Defense Admiral Dong Jun in Malaysia. And we spoke again last night. The Admiral and I agree that peace, stability, and good relations are the best path for our two great and strong countries," Hegseth wrote. "As President Trump said, his historic 'G2 meeting' set the tone for everlasting peace and success for the U.S. and China."
Hegseth added, "The Department of War will do the same — peace through strength, mutual respect, and positive relations. Admiral Dong and I also agreed that we should set up military-to-military channels to deconflict and deescalate any problems that arise. We have more meetings on that coming soon. God bless both China and the USA!"
That comment led to some outrage from critics and observers who support the administration.
Conservative ex-GOP lawmaker Adam Kinzinger replied with this quote, “Oceania was at war with Eurasia; therefore Oceania had always been at war with Eurasia," along with a meme of a man wearing a MAGA hat and the words "fell for it again."
"God bless both China……. wtf???? Dude" he added.
Trump-supporting I Love America News wrote "Meanwhile in China," along with the Chinese leader appearing to read "The Art of the Deal" by Trump. Several other accounts shared similar memes.
Gary P. Nabhan, a user who frequently shares and supports comments made by Hegseth, asked him, "How will you deconflict when China invades Taiwan? Or have you already signaled China that you won’t oppose the invasion?"
Michael D. Swaine of the Quincy Institute said, "Golly Gee, that's just great Petey. All problems and bad blood gone, poof. We are now bosom buddies, so all those past defense documents, presidential statements, Congressional bills, etc. that spoke of China seeking to overturn the global order, displace the US from Asia, suppress other countries etc., etc., were silly goofs. A couple of meetings and all is well. Boy is Trump a genius or what?! Why do we even need diplomacy or the military for that matter. (except to attack Americans and murder people Donnie doesn't like, of course). Who knew that international relations was so easy?!!"
Podcaster Spencer Hakimian chimed in, "Hegseth TACO’ing on China. Wow."