Trump and Hegseth Whispering Before Passing Off Russia Question to Other Official Spurs Mockery Online: “How Embarrassing”

President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth are facing ridicule after a reporter’s question seemed to catch both off guard, prompting the two to exchange whispers before passing the question off on another official.

During the presidential cabinet meeting on Tuesday, a journalist asked about Russia’s alleged use of chemical weapons in Ukraine. Trump leaned toward Hegseth and whispered, “What do you know about this?” Hegseth responded quietly, “John might know,” prompting Trump to say aloud, “Well, I’d ask John to discuss it.”

CIA director John Ratcliffe offered a vague response, condemning the use of chemical weapons but declining to share any details. “It’s against the international laws of armed conflict and treaties, and I can’t share in this room with this audience the intelligence that I can share with you privately,” Ratcliffe told the president. “But obviously you’re not going to stand for any violations of international law by anyone.”

Online, users mocked the exchange, criticizing the administration as ill-informed and lacking authority.

“How embarrassing,” wrote one user. Another said, “The whole administration is unqualified and incompetent.”

“JFC. Does ANYONE know anything in that regime?” demanded one. “Oh, my god-these ignorant red neck hillbilly clowns from formerly most powerful nation and once best informed military are f–king clueless. And it shows,” another wrote.

“Hegseth might as well have whispered, ‘I’m not really qualified to do this sh**,'” a comment read.

Several users accused Trump of skipping daily intelligence briefings. “All Trump cares about is selling his perfume and steak knives to his cult members,” indicted one reply.

“Who the hell’s in charge?” a user questioned, as another asked a similar question with more urgency: “WHO. IS. RUNNING. THE. GOVERNMENT.”

Others expressed disbelief that the cabinet seemed completely unaware of Ukraine’s accusation against Russia.

“So both the president of the United States and the secretary of defense have no idea that chemical warfare is happening in Ukraine, while the international court DOES know about it?” a reply clarified.

“Sorry, what? Last I checked he brags about talking to Putin regularly. Why doesn’t HE know?” a user wondered. Another noted, “I listen to the news on the radio and I (1) knew about the issue, and (2) understood the legal issues with it.”

Ukraine submitted a formal request to investigate Russia’s alleged use of chemical weapons in its war against Ukraine on Tuesday, Reuters reported. Last week, Dutch and German intelligence claimed to have evidence of Russia using banned chemical weapons, calling for more aggressive sanctions against Russia.

Russia has previously denied the use of chemical weaponry and claimed to have discovered a Ukrainian cache of explosive devices containing the toxic chemical compound Chloropicrin. Russia was accused of using the chemical by the U.S. last year. Ukraine has denied the allegation.