Pete Hegseth Displays Comedic Chops With Dead-On Trump Impression

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth debuted his comedy chops with a spot-on impression of President Donald Trump, getting laughs from several sailors aboard the USS Chosin, a Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser stationed in Panama.

Hegseth stopped aboard the Chosin during his recent trip to Panama — where he secured an agreement with Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino regarding use of the Panama Canal — to speak to sailors there, and he delivered the impromptu impression while talking about what Trump told him when he first accepted the position of Defense Secretary.

WATCH:

.@SecDef @PeteHegseth does a spot on impression of President Trump! ???????????? pic.twitter.com/zIpNycUndH

— Kristina Wong ???????? (@kristina_wong) April 9, 2025

“The president gave me a very direct charge. He actually told me two things when he chose me for this job,” Hegseth began, clearing his throat before slipping into his Trump impersonation. “First was, ‘Pete, you better be tough as s***, okay?'”

Hegseth also shared video from his time aboard the Chosin, where he was gifted a hat and named an honorary “War Dragon.” He immediately donned the cap, prompting Chosin Commander Captain Robert “Mac” McFarlin to say, “There it is. Now, you’re part of the family.”

“Today, our team had the opportunity to tour the USS Chosin to see the amazing work our @USNavy warriors are doing in the @Southcom AOR,” he posted along with the video.

Today, our team had the opportunity to tour the USS Chosin to see the amazing work our @USNavy warriors are doing in the @Southcom AOR. pic.twitter.com/A69ljLQCwB

— Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (@SecDef) April 9, 2025

The Defense Secretary was also on hand to present the official news of acceptance to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, to Diego David Portillo Aizpurua of Panama’s National Aeronaval Service.

“We also had the honor of presenting Diego David Portillo Aizpurua with his acceptance to the @NavalAcademy,” Hegseth posted. “He is the third in all of the National Aeronaval Service of Panama to be accepted. Congratulations and best of luck in your journey of becoming a future Navy leader!”

We also had the honor of presenting Diego David Portillo Aizpurua with his acceptance to the @NavalAcademy. He is the third in all of the National Aeronaval Service of Panama to be accepted. Congratulations and best of luck in your journey of becoming a future Navy leader! pic.twitter.com/YLm96lGmGW

— Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (@SecDef) April 9, 2025

Hegseth returned to U.S. soil on Wednesday with good news, announcing upon his return that he and Panamanian President Mulino had reached a mutually beneficial agreement with regard to keeping the Panama Canal free of Chinese influence.