Pics of WWII Bomber Flagged For Removal Under Pete Hegseth’s ‘DEI’ Purge — Because ‘Gay’ Is in Its Name
(U.S. Air Force via AP)
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s Pentagon’s DEI purge is wiping out more than just diversity initiatives — it’s reportedly erasing history, as images of Black soldiers, pioneering female service members, and even photos of World War II Hiroshima bomber Enola Gay, have been flagged for deletion.
Tens of thousands of photos and online posts were listed in what appears to be a preliminary list of items that run afoul of the Defense Department’s attempt to comply with President Donald Trump’s executive order eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs across federal agencies.
The Enola Gay was named after Enola Gay Tibbets, the mother of the aircraft’s pilot, Col. Paul Tibbets.
The database of flagged content, which was obtained by the Associated Press and confirmed by the U.S. government, shows more than 26,000 images already marked for removal across military branches, though one official estimates the real total could exceed 100,000 when factoring in social media and websites.
Hegseth ordered the sweeping purge, giving the military until Wednesday to remove any content that highlights diversity initiatives.
Among the targeted materials: photos of the Tuskegee Airmen, the nation’s first Black military pilots; an all-female C-17 crew during Women’s History Month; and images of Medal of Honor recipient Pfc. Harold Gonsalves. Even a routine Army Corps of Engineers project was flagged — apparently because an engineer in the photo had the last name “Gay.”
The Pentagon’s scramble to comply has led to widespread confusion, according to the Associated Press.
Some images appear to be deleted at random, while others remain publicly accessible. It’s unclear whether deleted content will be archived or permanently erased, raising concerns about the historical record.
