A House Democrat has said she believes the Trump administration has “intense” suppressed homoerotic desires.
Rep. Becca Balint (D-Vt) made the comments in connection with Pete Hegseth‘s announcement that he will begin testosterone screening for all service members over 30 years old, regardless of gender. Hegseth said that “the most decisive tactical advantage will always be the individual warfighter” and that he believes this program is part of a “sacred duty”.
Any man or woman who doesn’t meet the recommended testosterone levels will then be given a “choice” to receive testosterone replacement therapy.
“So many people in this administration…”
Balint dismissed Hegseth’s plans as “homoeroticism”, telling MeidasTouch:
“I think it’s indicative of the fact that there are so many people in this administration that have some weird, like, intense homoerotic feelings towards men while also being incredibly homophobic. And not just homophobic, but like hate-mongering, fear-mongering about the LGBTQ community.”
But Balint – who is a lesbian – underlines that these homoerotic urges aren’t “the weird part.” She says, “the weird part is that they pretend that that’s not what it’s about. And so, Pete Hegseth is like the example of this manly, manly, rugged, macho man.”
She then referenced iconic homoerotic artist Tom of Finland, “I feel like they must be looking at that [art] as like their example for what men look like.”
Hegseth has had a widely noted focus on the aesthetics and perceived attractiveness of the men under his command. For example, he mandated specific grooming standards for men that tightly regulate acceptable facial hair as part of a Pentagon-led push for those serving “to be clean-shaven and neat.”
He has also been open about his dislike for overweight people in the military, saying, “it’s a bad look”. In a speech in Quantico in September 2025, he said:
“Frankly, it’s tiring to look out at combat formations, or really any formation, and see fat troops. Likewise, it’s completely unacceptable to see fat generals and admirals in the halls of the Pentagon leading commands around the country and the world.”
To this end, Hegseth put in place mandatory physical fitness tests, combined with strict biannual weigh-ins. “Today, at my direction, every member of the joint force, at every rank, is required to take a PT test twice a year, as well as meet height and weight requirements twice a year, every year of service.”
Neither Hegseth nor the Pentagon has responded to Balint’s accusations.
Published: Jul 17, 2026 08:01 am