Fact Check: Did Pete Hegseth cancel Pride Month at the Department of War?

WASHINGTON, DC: A viral post claims that Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has canceled Pride Month observances at the Department of War, sparking widespread attention across social media platforms. 

The post has drawn significant engagement, including comments and impressions as users react to the claim. Pride Month, observed annually in June, celebrates LGBTQ+ communities, their history, and their rights.

Claim: Pete Hegseth officially canceled Pride Month at Department of War

The rumor originated from an X user, “Republican Army,” who posted: “Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has officially cancelled Pride Month at the DoW! Do you support this?” The post then circulated across social media platforms, where it gained engagement, including supportive replies such as, “I support this 100%.. you too?”

This claim has resurfaced alongside earlier policy discussions from early 2025, when the Department of Defense under Hegseth reportedly issued a directive ending official recognition of all so-called “identity months,” including Pride Month, Black History Month, and Women’s History Month, as part of a broader effort to reduce military involvement in cultural observances.

Hegseth has publicly emphasized removing diversity-focused programs from the military and shifting toward what he describes as a “warrior culture.” In line with this stance, he directed the military to stop officially celebrating identity-based months as part of broader policy changes.

Fact Check: Pete Hegseth’s alleged claim about Pride Month is misleading

The claim that “Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has officially canceled Pride Month” is not accurate as stated. Pete Hegseth has been linked to policies that end official recognition of all “identity months” within the Department of Defense.

These policies apply broadly to observances such as Black History Month, Women’s History Month, and Pride Month, rather than targeting Pride Month alone. The claim incorrectly suggests a specific, standalone cancellation of Pride Month, which credible reporting does not support.

It also uses incorrect wording such as “Department of War,” whereas the correct name of the institution is the Department of Defense. At this time, there is no official confirmation from the Department of Defense or credible government records indicating that any such directive exists. Claims like this often circulate in highly politicized online spaces, where posts combine real policy debates with exaggeration or speculation.

Discussions about Pride Month within the military have formed part of broader debates over diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, but these discussions are not equivalent to an official cancellation of the observance itself.

Therefore, the rumor appears to originate from social media framing rather than verified policy action, and no reliable reporting has confirmed it.