George Clooney has publicly criticized U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth after Hegseth mocked Canadian military cadets online, sparking a wave of backlash across Canada.

The Hollywood star addressed the controversy at a press conference during the Venice Film Festival on Wednesday. He condemned Hegseth’s social media post that targeted members of the Cadet Training Centre in Vernon, B.C.

Clooney Condemns “Cruelty” in Politics

Clooney did not mince words when discussing the incident. “The idea that cruelty is the base, that being cruel and unkind is part of the fun of all this,” he said at the festival, where he is set to receive a lifetime achievement award.

He directly referenced Hegseth’s post, which mocked women serving in the Canadian military. “The secretary of defense just tweeted out a picture of women in the military in Canada and you’re going ‘What’s wrong with you? Where’s the sense of decency in all of this?’ I’m ashamed of all of that but we will get through it and we will come out better on the other side,” Clooney said.

Beyond this specific incident, Clooney also weighed in on the broader political climate in the United States. Consequently, his comments extended into a wider critique of American leadership.

Clooney Reflects on U.S. Political Turmoil

“I’m always very optimistic about things. We’re at a moment in time that’s unfortunate…. That’s an understatement,” Clooney said. He then drew comparisons to historic unrest, adding that he remembers 1968 clearly.

“I do believe that we’re going to get through all of this. I’m old enough to have been through 1968 in the States, when every city in the United States was set on fire, and we lost Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy in the same year. There was tons of violence. The capital was surrounded with tanks. We’ve had some other difficult times, but this is one of them,” Clooney said.

Furthermore, the actor described the U.S. as a “kakistocracy,” meaning a country run by the least qualified people. Still, he expressed confidence that things would eventually improve. “We’ll get through it, we will have an election in November that should be a check and balance, and then with any luck in 2028, we’ll have some restoration into some normalcy,” Clooney said.

Canadian Leaders React to Hegseth’s Post

Meanwhile, Hegseth’s original post triggered significant backlash across Canada. Many people felt it was unfair to target a youth program in order to disparage the Canadian Armed Forces. Others criticized the defense secretary for body-shaming women cadets.

When asked about the growing backlash, U.S. Pentagon deputy press secretary Jacob Bliss offered a brief response: “The X post speaks for itself.”

Prime Minister Mark Carney also addressed the situation while speaking to reporters in Ottawa. He stated that comments from Trump administration officials maligning Canada’s military were “beneath their office.”

Similarly, B.C. Premier David Eby called both the post and the Pentagon’s defense of it an embarrassment. “It tells you everything you need to know about the amateur-hour, distracted, bizarre leadership that Americans are being subjected to,” Eby said.

Conservative MP Garnett Genuis also responded on social media, clarifying an important distinction. He noted that “cadets do great work, and are not members of the military.” He then added, “158 members of the Canadian military gave their lives in Afghanistan after your country was attacked.”

Genuis went on to emphasize the shared history between the two nations. “Canada and the U.S. have a great history of fighting together for freedom and justice. It’s history worth remembering,” he said.

Cadet League Defends Young Members

In addition to political figures, the Army Cadet League of Canada also condemned the online mockery. The organization released a statement defending the young cadets and their achievements.

“Directing derogatory commentary toward youth who are actively working to better themselves and serve their communities is unacceptable,” the league said. It further stated that it “stands firmly behind cadets, adult staff, volunteers, and officers who dedicate their time to building stronger communities and developing the next generation of Canadian leaders.”

Notably, the national cadet program serves youth between the ages of 12 and 18. According to a federal government website, the program offers “opportunities for youth to gain valuable knowledge and skills that build confidence and help pave the way in a transition to adulthood.”

As the controversy continues to unfold, reactions from both sides of the border show no signs of slowing down. For now, Clooney’s comments have added a high-profile voice to the growing criticism of Hegseth’s remarks.