Environmental drag icon Pattie Gonia has taken a viral jab at controversial US politician Pete Hegseth — by doing more pull-ups than him, in full drag, with a tuck in place. And yes, she absolutely owned it.
The 33-year-old queer activist and naturalist took to Instagram to mock Hegseth, the notoriously anti-LGBTQ+ US Secretary of War, by effortlessly outperforming him in the pull-up department — all while advocating for inclusion and equality.
“Hi Pete Hegseth, Pattie Gonia here,” she says in the viral video. “While you’re busy trying to take away the rights of queer people, I’m over here advocating for the rights of all people — including my right to do better pull-ups than you, all with my balls tucked inside of me.”
Wearing heels and doing flawless reps in a local park, she finishes her set, struts toward the camera and throws out the final blow:
“That’s fifty, you little b**ch.”
Hegseth’s Struggle Goes Viral
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The clapback comes after a clip resurfaced of Hegseth struggling to complete 50 pull-ups, his form sloppy and legs kicking wildly. Shared by former US Marine Ron Filipkowski, the video caused a stir online earlier this year.
“The Pete Hegseth pull-up is a bit different than the ones we did at Parris Island,” Filipkowski commented. “Maybe it’s an Army thing.”
Pattie’s cheeky, physically impressive response has now become a viral moment in its own right — a bold, hilarious takedown of toxic masculinity and political hypocrisy, drag queen-style.
Hegseth’s Anti-LGBTQ+ Record
Hegseth, who assumed his role in January under the second Trump administration, has continued a campaign of hostility toward trans and queer Americans. He has supported moves to ban trans people from serving in the US military, calling their identities “incompatible with active duty”.
Most recently, Hegseth suggested introducing policy to exclude women from military service, stating combat roles should adhere to “the highest male standard only”.
“If women can make it, excellent. If not, it is what it is,” he said.
A New Standard — Set by a Drag Queen
In contrast, Pattie Gonia is redefining strength with style. Not only did she outperform Hegseth physically, she also challenged him publicly:
“My name is Pattie Gonia and I challenge Pete Hegseth to a pull-up competition. I’ll win. And I’ll do it tucked.”
In a follow-up post, she cheekily added:
“Some gay please take this video to gay Twitter. We need it to actually reach him.”
The moment is being widely celebrated as both hilarious and empowering — showing that being queer, feminine, and strong aren’t mutually exclusive.
From Pull-Ups to Activism
Pattie Gonia’s activism extends far beyond social media call-outs. In August, she joined climbers to hang a 20-metre-wide trans flag across the face of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, a daring and symbolic act of visibility.
“Being trans is natural,” they told The Guardian, referencing the growing political attacks on trans people worldwide.
The timing couldn’t be more powerful. As right-wing politicians attempt to undermine the rights and dignity of LGBTQ+ communities, Pattie Gonia is showing — one pull-up at a time — that queer resistance can be fierce, funny, and absolutely fabulous.
