ABC News has absolutely flipped their wig over what is commonly known as the “come to Pete” speech, delivered by the Secretary of War himself in front of the nation’s top military brass assembled at Marine Corps Base Quantico (VA). So much so that for a moment, correspondent Martha Raddatz seemed to forget Secretary Hegseth's actual job.
Watch as the report opened with another lengthy introduction by World News Tonight anchor David Muir, before sending off to Raddatz:
ABC WORLD NEWS TONIGHT
9/30/25
6:35 PM
DAVID MUIR: Tonight, the U.S. military's top brass summoned to Quantico, Virginia. 800 top officers. Secretary Hegseth outlining his vision, what’s expected now of those military leaders and talking about the highest male standard only for all of those who serve in the U.S. military. And President Trump on stage, the president saying he has told Secretary Hegseth we should use some dangerous cities as training grounds for our military. Here's Martha Raddatz.
MARTHA RADDATZ: In an unprecedented meeting which the former weekend Fox and Friends host broadcast live, Secretary Pete Hegseth warning hundreds of combat-tested generals, admirals and senior officers flown in from around the world that the military under his leadership will be dramatically changed.
PETE HEGSETH: No more identity months, DEI offices, dudes in dresses. No more climate change worship. No more division, distraction, or gender delusions. No more debris. We are done with that [ shit ].
The first thing that immediately pops to mind is the effort made at World News Tonight to avoid uttering the words “Secretary of War.” Thus, Pete Hegseth is referred to as “Secretary Hegseth” or “Hegseth.” Both of which are fine once viewers are told what he is the secretary of. But it appears that ABC would rather gag than say “Secretary of War.”
The next is Martha Raddatz derisively referring to Secretary Hegseth as “former weekend Fox and Friends” host”, as if Hegseth had delivered his speech from the curvy couch. Now that he is the Senate-confirmed Secretary, what purpose is there to deemphasizing Hegseth in this way, except petty protest?
The rest of the story is basically Raddatz emoting with every basic proposal laid out by Hegseth- whether on weight standards or physical training or anything else. How dare this Secretary of an indeterminate department set standards for the people under his charge! Whether on weight, physical fitness or anything else, Raddatz has some whiny little aside.
The course correction was long overdue and the American people voted for it. You couldn’t tell this is the case from watching legacy media accounts.
Click “expand” to view the full transcript of the aforementioned report as aired on ABC World News Tonight on Tuesday, September 30th, 2025:
DAVID MUIR: Tonight, the U.S. military's top brass summoned to Quantico, Virginia. 800 top officers. Secretary Hegseth outlining his vision, what’s expected now of those military leaders and talking about the highest male standard only for all of those who serve in the U.S. military. And President Trump on stage, the president saying he has told Secretary Hegseth we should use some dangerous cities as training grounds for our military. Here's Martha Raddatz.
MARTHA RADDATZ: In an unprecedented meeting which the former weekend Fox and Friends host broadcast live, Secretary Pete Hegseth warning hundreds of combat-tested generals, admirals and senior officers flown in from around the world that the military under his leadership will be dramatically changed.
PETE HEGSETH: No more identity months, DEI offices, dudes in dresses. No more climate change worship. No more division, distraction, or gender delusions. No more debris. We are done with that [ shit ].
RADDATZ: While the generals and admirals sat largely silent through the speech, Hegseth said military fitness and standards will be enforced, no more fat generals or admirals, he said.
HEGSETH: I don't want my son serving alongside troops who are out of shape, or in combat unit with females who can't meet the same combat arms physical standards as men.
RADDATZ: For those ground combat roles which women have been performing for more than a decade, the high male standard will now be the norm.
HEGSETH: If that means no women qualify for some combat jobs, so be it.
RADDATZ: And Hegseth defending the firing of more than a dozen senior officers, including the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, CQ Brown, and the head of the Navy, Lisa Franchetti.
HEGSETH: For too long, we’ve promoted too many uniformed leaders for the wrong reasons. Based on their race, based on gender quotas. Based on historic so-called firsts.
RADDATZ: But Hegseth was not just talking personnel but policy, the rules of engagement meant to protect civilians and noncombatants. Those, he said, have become too politically correct.
HEGSETH: We also don't fight with stupid rules of engagement. We untie the hands of our war fighters to intimidate, demoralize, hunt and kill the enemies of our country.
RADDATZ: President Trump then took the stage to address the officers.
DONALD TRUMP: If you don't like what I'm saying you can leave the room. Of course, there goes your rank. There goes your future.
RADDATZ: Telling his audience of some of the most experienced war fighters in a generation the military should practice on American cities.
TRUMP: I told Pete we should use some of these dangerous cities as training grounds for our military.
RADDATZ: And David, I am told that many of the officers in the audience were especially jarred by those remarks about training in American cities. Others say they are now thinking about where their red lines are because, David, Hegseth made clear that if they don't like what they are hearing from him, they should resign. David.
David: Martha Raddatz in Washington tonight. Martha, thank you.
