Pete Hegseth Pentagon Prayer in Viral Video Mirrors ‘Pulp Fiction’

A widely circulated viral video is drawing scrutiny after appearing to show Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivering a prayer at the Pentagon that closely mirrors a famous monologue from Quentin Tarantino's 1994 classic, Pulp Fiction.

The clip, which has spread widely on X, includes a version shared by Clash Report that places the iconic Samuel L. Jackson scene side by side with Hegseth’s remarks. In the footage, Hegseth appears to be speaking during a worship service or faith-based gathering inside the Pentagon. He recounts a prayer he says was shared with him by a military planner involved in a Combat Search and Rescue mission before reciting a passage that has since sparked debate online.

“They call it CSAR 25:17, which I think is meant to reflect Ezekiel 25:17,” Hegseth says in the footage.

What follows is a reworked version of the speech popularized by Samuel L. Jackson’s character, Jules Winnfield, in Pulp Fiction. In Hegseth’s telling, the passage is adapted with military-specific language, including references to a “downed aviator,” “camaraderie and duty,” and a call sign — “Sandy One” — in place of the biblical phrase “the Lord.”

The original verse from the King James Bible is significantly shorter: “And I will execute great vengeance upon them with furious rebukes; and they shall know that I am the Lord, when I shall lay my vengeance upon them.” Much of the language recited in the viral clip does not appear in scripture and instead aligns with the fictionalized version written for Pulp Fiction, which has become one of the film’s most recognizable scenes.

In the movie, the passage is delivered by a hitman shortly before acts of violence, a narrative context that contrasts sharply with its apparent use in a Pentagon prayer. That contrast has fueled much of the online reaction, with viewers pointing out the similarities and questioning whether the wording was intentional.

One widely shared version of the video places Hegseth’s remarks side by side with the film scene, highlighting how closely the phrasing tracks with the screenplay, even as certain lines are adjusted to reflect military terminology. The cadence and structure remain largely intact.

Reaction on social media has been mixed. Some users suggested the moment may have been an intentional cultural reference or a rhetorical adaptation for a military audience. Others criticized the use of a fictionalized and violent monologue in a formal setting, particularly one tied to religious expression within the Defense Department.

The remarks have drawn attention online in part because of their blending of religious language and military terminology.

They also come amid recent scrutiny over the use of religious imagery in political messaging. Last week, President Donald Trump shared an AI-generated image on Truth Social that depicted him in a Christ-like role, prompting widespread reaction online. The post was later deleted. Trump said he believed the image portrayed him as a doctor.

It remains unclear when the “CSAR 25:17” passage originated or how it has circulated within military circles. In the video, Hegseth attributes it to a planner involved in a rescue operation but does not provide further details about its source.

Military.com has reached out to the Department of Defense for clarification on the remarks, asking for additional context about the event and its setting. As of publication, the Office of the Secretary of Defense Public Affairs has not responded.

The video continues to gain traction online, highlighting how quickly moments from official settings can be reframed once they enter the broader social media landscape. Without additional context from the Department, the intent behind the remarks remains open to interpretation.