Additional Coverage:
Pete Hegseth, the U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs, recently found himself at the center of a social media stir after quoting a passage he claimed was from the Bible-but movie buffs quickly recognized it as a famous monologue from the film Pulp Fiction.
During remarks related to the rescue efforts for two airmen shot down over Iran, Hegseth recited a prayer he attributed to Ezekiel 25:17. However, the passage he shared closely resembled the fictionalized version of the scripture delivered by Samuel L.
Jackson’s character, Jules Winnfield, in Quentin Tarantino’s 1994 movie. In Pulp Fiction, this passage is a stylized monologue, created specifically for the film, rather than an actual biblical verse.
Hegseth’s prayer included lines like, “The path of the downed aviator is beset on all sides by the iniquities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men,” and “I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to capture and destroy my brother.” The Pentagon press secretary, Sean Parnell, defended the choice, stating the quote was “obviously inspired” by Pulp Fiction and dismissing criticism as “fake news.”
Late-night host Stephen Colbert weighed in with his characteristic wit, pointing out the unusual blend of Hollywood dialogue and religious references. On The Late Show, Colbert remarked, “If you’re not familiar with Pulp Fiction’s gospel, it’s like the regular Bible, but Tarantino’s Jesus says the N-word a lot.” Despite the humorous critique, Colbert expressed hope for Hegseth’s success in his role, even offering a playful prayer quoting Forrest Gump.
This incident highlights ongoing tensions surrounding the use of religious language in political discourse, particularly within the MAGA movement. Previous controversies have included President Trump’s sharing of an AI-generated image depicting himself with healing hands-a gesture some religious voters interpreted as an inappropriate self-deification.
As the conversation continues, Hegseth’s blending of pop culture and scripture serves as a reminder of how closely intertwined politics, religion, and media have become in public life.