Freshman GOP senator sets social media ablaze with 'best' response to Hegseth’s answer on gender question
Sen Tim Sheehy says Pete Hegseth is going to do a 'great job' at the Pentagon
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Conservatives erupted Tuesday on social media following an exchange between Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth and Sen. Tim Sheehy, R-Mont., regarding gender identity.
"How many genders are there?" the freshman Montana senator asked Hegseth on Tuesday. "Tough one."
Hegseth responded, "Senator, there are two genders."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"I know that well, I’m a Sheehy, so I’m on board," Sheehy responded, referencing the "she" and "he" that make up his last name.
TOP 5 MOMENTS FROM PETE HEGSETH'S SENATE CONFIRMATION HEARING
President-elect Trump's Secretary of Defense nominee, Pete Hegseth, left, and Sen. Tim Sheehy, R-Mont. (Getty Images)
After Hegseth laughed at the senator's joke, Sheehy then went on to ask Hegseth, a fellow combat veteran, the diameter of a round fired out of a M4A1 rifle and how many pushups he could do.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The line of questioning, particularly the exchange on gender which Sheehy previously joked about on the campaign trail, immediately drew a response from conservatives.
"Right on," Rep Darrell Issa, R-Calif., posted on X.
'CLEAR VISION': CONSERVATIVES RALLY AROUND HEGSETH AFTER 'CRUSHING' FIERY CONFIRMATION HEARING
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Pete Hegseth testifies during his Senate Armed Services confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
"QUESTION OF THE DAY," conservative influencer Benny Johnson posted on X.
"Legitimately the best joke every [ever] told in Congress," conservative commentator Ian Haworth posted on X.
"BEST EVER!" radio host Steve Gruber posted on X.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"Well, it looks like the new senator from Montana is a huge upgrade," RealClearInvestigations senior writer Mark Hemingway posted on X in reference to former Democratic Sen. Jon Tester, whom Sheehy defeated in November.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Then-Senate candidate from Montana Tim Sheehy speaks during the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee on July 16, 2024. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Getty Images)
"Montana knew what they were doing when they put @TimSheehyMT in the Senate," conservative commentator and former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines posted on X.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"A-freakin’-MEN!" Wendy Rogers, Republican state senator from Arizona, posted on X.
Sheehy told Fox News host Sean Hannity on Tuesday night that Hegseth is going to do a "great job" and "we support him."
"That's why my questions were directed the way they were," Sheehy said. " I wanted to remind people what this job is really about and it's supporting the war fighter and protecting America."