‘The View’ mocks Pete Hegseth’s viral workout as Alyssa Farah Griffin says he’d fail Pilates

'The View' hosts mocked Pete Hegseth’s viral military training video, criticizing his fitness after he struggled to keep up with military personnel
Alyssa Farah Griffin mocked Pete Hegseth’s workout video, saying he 'would not get through my Pilates class,' and compared him with former defense secretaries (Getty Images, @TheView/X)
Alyssa Farah Griffin mocked Pete Hegseth’s workout video, saying he 'would not get through my Pilates class,' and compared him with former defense secretaries (Getty Images, @TheView/X)

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Pete Hegseth’s viral military training video has become the latest target of 'The View' hosts, who laughed at footage showing the Defense Secretary struggling to keep up with military personnel during training exercises.

The panel took aim at Hegseth on Friday morning, October 9, turning the clip into a discussion about his fitness and his outspoken views on military standards.

The hosts did not hold back as they watched the video during the show’s 'Hot Topics' segment.



Whoopi Goldberg mocks Pete Hegseth’s workout video

The hosts reacted with laughter as the video played, calling out, “Look, look, look!” while watching Hegseth fall behind during the exercises.

Once the clip ended, moderator Whoopi Goldberg had a pointed question about the Defense Secretary’s performance.

“What is he overcompensating for?” she wondered. Ana Navarro responded with a quick, “Girl…” adding to the panel’s reaction before the discussion continued.

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 21: U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth testifies during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on July 21, 2026 in Washington, DC. Members of the Trump administration appeared before the committee to request supplemental funding amid recent escalation in the war with Iran. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth testifies during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on July 21, 2026 in Washington, DC (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

The moment quickly turned into a series of jokes about Hegseth’s struggle to keep up.

The hosts focused on the contrast between the footage and Hegseth’s public emphasis on high fitness standards for military personnel.

The video went viral earlier in the week, drawing attention to the Defense Secretary’s performance during the exercises.

Alyssa Farah Griffin mocks Pete Hegseth’s fitness

Alyssa Farah Griffin was quick to offer her own take after watching the footage, using a fitness comparison to poke fun at Hegseth. “That guy would not get through my Pilates class,” she said.

Griffin also pointed to previous Secretaries of Defense who had worked out alongside military personnel.

Alyssa Farah Griffin attends a discussion of the View's
Alyssa Farah Griffin attends a discussion of the View's 'Behind the Table' podcast at 92NY on October 08, 2024 in New York City (Gary Gershoff/Getty Images)

According to Griffin, those officials had also participated in workouts with service members, but she argued that they had not struggled in the same way Hegseth appeared to in the video.

She also took aim at what she described as attempts to gain social media attention through such workouts, referring to the officials as “thirst bots.”

Her remarks shifted the discussion beyond the physical exercises themselves. The panel's criticism centered on the contrast between participating in a military workout for public attention and being able to keep pace during the training.

Sara Haines criticizes Pete Hegseth’s fitness standards

Sara Haines took a different approach, connecting the video to Hegseth’s recent comments about fitness standards in the military.

“Don't be the guy saying 'No fatties, no beardos, no weirdos, no slowpokes,' and then be the slowpoke. You can't do that part in the video,” she joked.

Her remark highlighted what she saw as a contradiction between demanding high standards from others and struggling during a public workout.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth arrives to greet Australia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Richard Marles on his arrival at the Pentagon, Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth arrives to greet Australia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Richard Marles on his arrival at the Pentagon, Wednesday, September 2, 2026, in Washington (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Navarro quickly stepped in to point out that Hegseth had not specifically called out “slow pokes.” Haines acknowledged the distinction, making it clear that she had added the description herself to take a dig at the Defense Secretary.

She also had a suggestion for someone in his position, adding, “At least say no videos or photographs if you're that guy.” “I mean, seriously?” she continued.

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