Pete Hegseth Blasted for ‘Cringe’ Drone Video Soundtracked by Metallica

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s new hype video promoting a new era of U.S. “drone dominance” and soundtracked by Metallica crash landed on X Thursday to ridicule as users panned the clip as “cringe.”

In a move aimed to give a boost to the domestic drone industry, President Donald Trump signed two executive orders on June 6 aimed at slashing regulatory hurdles and expanding transparency in drone operations. The administration pitched the measures as a strategic push to strengthen the U.S. drone sector and open commercial growth nationwide as unmanned aircrafts become widely used in conflicts worldwide.

The video released to promote Trump’s new executive order features Hegseth standing resolute as a drone drops a memo into his hands as Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” plays out in the background.

“This is the future,” Hegseth proclaims. “We’re in the fight. We’re in the fight to win it. And we’re never gonna back down.”

The patriotic cinematics of hard rock and militarism, however, was lampooned online as users wondered whether the video had been directed by The Office creator Ricky Gervais.

Others jibed at Hegseth’s past career at Fox News:

CBS News reporter Jim LaPorta was more curious as to whether Metallica had approved the use of their music for the video:

Meanwhile MAGA insider Laura Loomer and former Trump ally Elon Musk both expressed their approval, although the tech billionaire added: “Long way to go.”