Pete Hegseth was branded a "clown" and a "disgrace" after using a D-Day speech in France to attack NATO allies and European immigration policies

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was branded a "clown" and a "disgrace" Saturday after using a D-Day anniversary ceremony on French soil to take aim at NATO allies and European immigration policies, sparking a furious backlash online.

Critics flooded social media with condemnation after Hegseth addressed the 82nd anniversary of the Allied landings in Normandy, with many arguing he had desecrated a solemn occasion honoring the sacrifice of thousands of soldiers who died liberating Europe from Nazi occupation.

"Having this clown speak is a disgrace in the first place," wrote one user, who said he still couldn't believe "this is the trash the people of this country chose to represent us on the global stage." It comes after President Donald Trump was caught on camera doing a shocking act to Melania at an inappropriate moment.

Another called it "beyond reprehensible" to lecture Europe about standing together "while on their soil."

"Insulting our allies while standing on their soil, Hegseth brings nothing but shame to the United States and to the U.S. military," wrote Cathy Coleman.

"D-Day is about honoring our WWII heroes, Hegseth doesn't understand that and is incapable of feeling true patriotism."

The outrage was triggered after Hegseth invoked the imagery of wartime beach landings to attack migration across the continent.

"Sadly, today, different European beaches are stormed by different dangerous ideologies," Hegseth said.

"Beaches in Spain, in Italy, in Greece, and in Bulgaria. Boats and men arrive. When will European capitals do something about that invasion?"

He also warned that European leaders had grown too "comfortable" with their freedoms since World War II, adding, "The men who fought and died here restored freedom to Europe."

"That freedom must be maintained by this generation of leaders and war fighters, or what they fought for was merely temporary."

Some defended the remarks.

"He's being very clear, not veiled. And he's right," one supporter posted. Another said NATO and European immigration policies "suck" and Hegseth "should be taking more than veiled shots at them."

But the dominant reaction was one of disgust, with several critics pointing to the irony of a senior Trump administration official demanding European solidarity while the administration has repeatedly clashed with traditional allies.

"Lecturing Europe about standing together while on their soil is beyond reprehensible," one user wrote, adding that the U.S. had "unilaterally decided to start a war" without consulting NATO.

Others questioned the propriety of political messaging at a commemoration.

"The D-Day anniversary gathering should be about the sacrifice made years ago," wrote David Ragsdale. "The anniversary should not be used for political purposes."

D-Day on June 6, 1944, was the largest seaborne military operation in history.

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