Virginia GOP Senate candidate Hung Cao has sparked a heated debate with comments he made during a recent campaign event on the 2nd of October at Norfolk State University. This debate lasted from 7pm until 8pm with Hung Cao where one of the points he made suggested that those who are supportive of drag queens may not possess the toughness necessary for military service.
His remarks came as part of a broader critique of U.S. military recruitment strategies, which he believes are increasingly focused on politically correct values that distract from the armed forces’ primary mission.
A retired Navy captain, Cao criticized recent military initiatives that have included drag performers as part of recruitment campaigns. Specifically, he referenced the Navy’s decision to enlist a drag queen as a “digital ambassador,” a move designed to reach younger and more diverse audiences. In his view, such tactics undermine the military’s ability to attract “alpha males and females” who represent the resilience and strength needed in modern defense forces.
CAPT Cao: “When you’re using a drag queen…to recruit for the Navy, that’s not the people we need. What we need is alpha males and alpha females who are going to rip out their own guts, eat them and ask for seconds.” pic.twitter.com/1sCSZ8AZVh
— Hung Cao (@HungCao_VA) October 2, 2024
“This is not who we want defending our country,” Cao said during the event. “We need warriors, not people distracted by political correctness.” His statements underscored a key theme of his Senate campaign: the need to rebuild the military’s strength, which he sees as compromised by social issues.
His Democratic opponent, incumbent Senator Tim Kaine, responded by dismissing Cao’s comments as a distraction from the real issues affecting military readiness. Kaine, who is seeking his third term in the Senate, emphasized that inclusivity within the armed forces is not only about fairness but also about reflecting the diversity of America. He argued that military service should be about skill, dedication, and patriotism, not about excluding people based on their lifestyle or identity.
“Service members come from all walks of life, and their commitment to defending this country is what matters,” Kaine said. He pointed to his own record of supporting veterans and active-duty service members through efforts to increase military funding, improve veterans’ healthcare, and address mental health challenges among troops.
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Cao’s remarks have resonated with conservative voters who are concerned about what they see as a weakening of military standards in the name of political correctness. Notably, critics argue that his stance promotes division and undermines efforts to create a more inclusive and representative armed forces.
