Overview
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told U.N. Ambassador Mike Waltz, “I’ll hit you up on Signal later,” during Fox Nation’s 2025 Patriot Awards on Thursday.
- The joke drew a mix of laughter, groans, and some boos from the audience, according to event coverage.
- Waltz, who previously took responsibility for the Signal error and resigned a national security post, appeared amused in the crowd.
- Hegseth took part in the original chat and at the time faced calls to step down, though he later became Pentagon chief and bills himself as “Secretary of War.”
- During the appearance, he praised President Donald Trump and highlighted plans to curb Defense Department diversity initiatives.