He Salute the Black Man?’: Pete Hegseth Has Awkward Exchange with Air Force Chief and Instantly Gets Roasted By the Internet

Nearly two weeks after the start of Operation Epic Fury the name given to the military operation against Iran ordered by Donald Trump U.S. officials say the campaign is still ongoing and continuing to hit Iranian targets.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently spoke about the situation during an event hosted by United States Central Command (CENTCOM), saying that American strikes are putting heavy pressure on Iranian forces.

According to Hegseth, Iranian troops are now struggling to respond to the attacks and appear to be “desperate and scrambling.” The conflict has already taken a serious toll. Reports say that at least 1,200 people have died since the strikes began, highlighting how intense the fighting has become.

But while Hegseth was speaking about the military situation, much of the attention online shifted to something else entirely. A video from the event quickly spread across social media, and many viewers began criticizing Hegseth over what they believed was a disrespectful moment during his arrival at the base.

The event took place at MacDill Air Force Base. When Hegseth stepped off the plane, he was welcomed by several military officials, including Brad Cooper, a commander who greeted him with a salute and a handshake. Several service members were also present to receive him.

Among those welcoming him were Fleet Master Chief Lateef N. Compton, Chief Petty Officer Jason Ford, and another Air Force service member whose name has not been publicly identified.

Video footage of the moment shows Hegseth returning the salute of the unidentified service member and greeting Admiral Cooper. However, viewers noticed that he did not salute Master Chief Compton or Chief Petty Officer Ford. The moment quickly sparked debate online.

When the clip began circulating, some people immediately questioned why Hegseth appeared to ignore the Black service member standing there. One widely shared caption asked bluntly, “Why didn’t he salute the Black man?” That question quickly triggered strong reactions across social media.

Some users accused Hegseth of intentionally refusing to salute Compton. Others suggested the situation reflected broader concerns about race or respect within the military leadership.

A few commenters even referenced Hegseth’s tattoos, which have previously been criticized by some people who claim they resemble symbols associated with white nationalism. Hegseth has repeatedly denied those accusations and said his tattoos reflect his Christian faith and his military service.

However, other users stepped in to explain that the situation might not have been what it first appeared to be. In the U.S. military, salutes follow strict rules. Service members typically salute commissioned officers, but they are not required to salute enlisted personnel or noncommissioned officers.

Because Fleet Master Chiefs and Chief Petty Officers are enlisted ranks, some people pointed out that Hegseth technically did not need to salute them at all. According to those familiar with military protocol, the exchange shown in the video may simply reflect standard procedure rather than a deliberate snub.

Still, the debate continued online, showing how quickly small moments involving public officials can turn into major controversies on social media.

The incident also revived earlier criticisms directed at both Hegseth and President Donald Trump over military etiquette. Trump himself has faced backlash in the past regarding how he interacts with service members or participates in military ceremonies.

For example, critics recently complained after Trump attended a dignified transfer ceremony honoring fallen U.S. troops while wearing a baseball cap. Some viewers argued that wearing the hat broke the formal tone expected at such a solemn event. Others defended him, saying the criticism was exaggerated and politically motivated.

Hegseth has also faced personal criticism before. In addition to the current controversy, older photos and videos have resurfaced showing him appearing intoxicated during a New Year’s party in Nashville in 2022. The footage showed him drinking champagne while celebrating with his family during a televised event, and critics used the images to question his professionalism.

Despite the backlash online, none of these issues have changed the administration’s message about the ongoing conflict. Officials continue to emphasize that the military operation against Iran is ongoing and that the U.S. believes its strategy is weakening Iranian forces.

At the same time, the online reaction to the video from MacDill Air Force Base shows how public perception of leaders can quickly shift away from major policy issues and focus instead on small moments captured on camera. For many people watching online, the debate about the salute became just as big a story as the military update itself.