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A viral video of Pete Hegseth allegedly passing gas during a press briefing has sparked debate and humor online. The incident occurred while discussing a US pilot rescue operation in Iran.
The Strait of Hormuz is ‘open': Viral video claims Pete Hegseth's awkward moment; Iran reacts (Aaron Schwartz/CNP/Bloomberg)(Aaron Schwartz/CNP/Bloomberg)A viral video of Pete Hegseth has triggered widespread online debate. The United States Secretary of War was allegedly heard passing gas during a public address.
The incident reportedly took place during a press briefing on April 6. Hegseth was speaking about a US pilot rescue operation in Iran. The clip appears to capture the moment just before his opening remarks.
The authenticity of the video remains questionable. While some believe it’s genuine, others call it AI-generated.
The video quickly spread across social media platforms. It has gathered millions of views and sparked memes and humorous reactions.
The Embassy of Iran in Kenya took this opportunity to mock Pete Hegseth. “The Strait is open,” it wrote while sharing the video.
Iran’s meme war
Iranian diplomatic accounts and state media have launched a coordinated social media campaign targeting the United States. They have especially zeroed in on Donald Trump and Pete Hegseth.
The campaign includes memes, sharp comments and sarcastic posts across platforms like X (formerly Twitter). After Hegseth spoke about sending Iran “back to the Stone Age,” Iranian embassies responded with historical comparisons. They claimed Iran was advancing civilization while others were still struggling for basic survival.
In one viral post, Iran’s embassy in South Africa mocked US military reshuffles by calling it a successful “regime change” with a “MAGA” reference. Another post from Zimbabwe took a direct dig at Trump: “Trump, please talk. We are bored.”
Iranian handles have also mocked US military strength. America “wins wars only in Hollywood,” they claimed.
Alongside memes, official rhetoric has also turned sharp. Iranian spokespersons dismissed US ceasefire talks, saying the US was “negotiating with itself.” The embassy in the UK criticized Hegseth’s statements as “medieval rhetoric.”
State media outlets have described US threats as exaggerated. According to them, it’s the US’s effort to hide failures in the Middle East.
Social media reaction
Meanwhile, social media doesn’t care if it’s real or fake. Users shared jokes and memes about the US Secretary of War.
“That was no fart. That was clearly liver slippage,” quipped one user.
“If he casually ripped a 4K fart on camera before, imagine the gas leak briefing when he learns he’s being impeached…better check your boxers, Petey,” joked another user.
Another user commented, “I really want this to be real, and if it’s real then Secretary O’Fart should trend.”
“Pete's farts are smarter than his words,” came another sharp remark.
About the Author
Sounak Mukhopadhyay
Sounak Mukhopadhyay covers trending news, sports and entertainment for LiveMint. His reporting focuses on fast-moving stories, box office performance, digital culture and major cricket developments. He combines real-time updates with clear context for everyday readers. <br><br> Sounak brings newsroom experience across breaking news, explainers and long-form features. He has a strong emphasis on accuracy, verification and responsible storytelling. His work tracks audience behaviour, celebrity influence and the business of sport and cinema. He helps readers understand why a story matters beyond the headline. <br><br> Sounak has contributed to widely read digital publications. He continues to build a body of journalism shaped by consistency, speed and editorial clarity. He is particularly interested in the intersection of media, popular culture and public conversation in contemporary India. <br><br> At LiveMint, he writes daily coverage as well as analytical pieces that interpret numbers, trends and cultural moments in accessible language. His approach prioritises factual depth, balanced framing and reader trust. The reporting aligns with modern newsroom standards of transparency and credibility. <br><br> Outside daily reporting, he explores storytelling across formats including podcasts, filmmaking and narrative non-fiction. Through his journalism, Sounak aims to document the rhythms of modern entertainment and sports while maintaining rigorous editorial integrity. <br><br> Sounak continues to develop audience-focused journalism that connects speed with substance in a rapidly-changing information environment. His work seeks clarity, trust and lasting public value in every story he reports.
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