Pete Hegseth’s South Carolina heat joke steals the moment at military ceremony

WASHINGTON, DC: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth gave service members an unexpectedly funny moment during a military ceremony in South Carolina as he opened up about struggling with the state's intense August heat.

Speaking on Monday, August 10, Hegseth attended the ceremony marking the renaming of Joint Base Charleston to Joint Base Lindsey Graham. The Minnesota native quickly turned the sweltering weather into a joke, drawing laughs from the crowd.

"I'm a Norwegian from Minnesota, so I sweat like a son of a b*tch! This is South Carolina in August!" Hegseth said.

Pete Hegseth jokes about South Carolina heat

Hegseth's comment came as the defense secretary addressed service members gathered for the ceremony.

Rather than ignoring the uncomfortable weather, he made it part of his remarks and poked fun at his own reaction to the heat.

His Minnesota background made the contrast even more amusing.

Hegseth, who described himself as a Norwegian from Minnesota, admitted that the South Carolina weather was something he was clearly feeling firsthand.

Pete Hegseth honors Lindsey Graham at military ceremony

The ceremony was held to honor Lindsey Graham, whose name was given to the military base formerly known as Joint Base Charleston.

Hegseth also used the occasion to recall the South Carolina senator in a more personal and humorous way.

At one point, Hegseth attempted to imitate Graham while remembering a moment he had shared with him.

"I’ll never forget it. In his accent, he sat there, and he said, ‘Gentlemen...'" Hegseth recalled.

He then stopped himself and admitted, "I can’t do a Lindsey Graham accent. It always devolves into a Trump accent."

Pete Hegseth shares Donald Trump impression

Hegseth did, however, get a chance to show off his impression of President Donald Trump later during the ceremony.

While talking about Trump's approach to the military, Hegseth recalled asking the president what message he should deliver to troops during his visit to South Carolina.

"When it comes to the president’s directive, he said, ‘Pete, deliver peace through strength, put America first, and apply common sense,’" Hegseth said.

He then described how he often asks Trump what he wants him to tell service members when he visits them.

"And his answer is always the same," Hegseth said before switching into a Trump style voice. "He goes, ‘Pete, tell ’em I love ’em.’"

The exchange added another lighthearted moment to Hegseth's remarks during the ceremony honoring Graham.