A viral moment inside the Pentagon is raising eyebrows after Pete Hegseth delivered what sounded like a powerful biblical prayer… but turned out to closely mirror a famous movie monologue.
During a Christian service tied to military operations, Hegseth recited a passage labeled “CSAR 25:17,” presenting it as a pre-mission prayer rooted in scripture. The problem? Viewers quickly noticed the wording sounded almost identical to a speech from Pulp Fiction, famously delivered by Samuel L. Jackson.
The original line in the film, often mistaken for scripture, expands dramatically on Ezekiel 25:17, adding phrases about “the tyranny of evil men” and vengeance that do not appear in the actual Bible verse. The real passage is far shorter and more direct.
Side-by-side clips circulating online show near-verbatim overlap between Hegseth’s recitation and the movie version. That comparison has fueled debate across social media, especially given the high-stakes timing tied to U.S. military posture and ongoing tensions involving Iran.
Critics argue the mix-up reflects a lack of precision in a serious setting, particularly when invoking religious language before military operations. Others see it as a symbolic or rhetorical choice, noting that the movie version has long taken on a life of its own in pop culture.
The Pentagon has not issued a formal clarification on whether the phrasing was intentional or simply a widely repeated misquote. Still, the moment has added another layer of scrutiny to Hegseth’s public appearances as defense chief.
In an era where every word is recorded, clipped, and dissected, even a familiar quote can take on new weight depending on where and how it’s delivered.