Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth publicly reprimanded his 15-year-old son, Gunner, for participating in a Navy Football team workout video that went viral. The video, shared by the Navy's Rapid Response account on X, showed players, including Gunner, lifting weights. Hegseth's account, @SECWAR, posted a clip of him joining the workout, captioned 'CHECKING IN—'.

This prompted Hegseth to scold his son, urging him not to ruin the video's intended masculine image. The incident highlights the scrutiny faced by high-profile families and the potential for personal moments to become public relations challenges for the Defense Department. Pete Hegseth and his son Gunner became the focus of media attention following the exchange.