The Pentagon has publicly criticized Netflix following the success of its new drama Boots, which tells the story of a gay Marine cadet’s experiences at boot camp in the 1990s.
Pentagon slams Netflix, calls streamer’s content “woke trash”
In response to Entertainment Weekly’s inquiry about the show, Pentagon spokesman Kingsley Wilson did not directly attack the series itself, but rather harshly rebuked Netflix’s programming in general. “Under President Trump and Secretary Hegseth, the U.S. military is returning to renewing the warrior ethos,” Wilson said in a statement.
“Our standards across the board are elite, uniform, and sex-neutral because the weight of a backpack or a human being doesn’t matter if you’re male, female, gay, or straight. We will not compromise our standards to satisfy an ideological agenda, unlike Netflix, whose management consistently produces and feeds woke garbage to its audience and children.”
The comments appear to be part of a wider criticism of the streaming platform, which has faced backlash from right-wing figures in recent months over its inclusive programming.
Why is Netflix facing backlash?
Earlier this year, Netflix faced controversy after canceling Dead End: Paranormal Park, an animated series featuring a transgender main character — a move that sparked both outrage among fans and a renewed boycott by conservative groups.
Despite the Pentagon’s remarks, Boots has been a breakout success for Netflix and has frequently topped the platform’s Top 10 TV Shows list since its October 9, 2025 premiere.
What is Boots about?
13 Reasons Why stars actor Miles Heizer as Cameron Cope, a withdrawn teenager from Louisiana who enlists in the US Marine Corps, and is based on Greg Cope White’s memoir The Pink Marine.
Created by Andy Parker, Boots reimagines White’s 1979 coming-of-age story into a 1990s setting, following Cope as he deals with the challenges of military life, friendship and identity against a backdrop of strict discipline and societal expectations. The show also stars Max Parker as Sergeant Liam Robert Sullivan and Vera Farmiga as Cameron’s mother Barbara Cope.
The series has earned strong reviews for its sensitive portrayal of LGBTQ+ identity in a hyper-masculine military environment, with critics praising its blend of authenticity, humor and emotional depth.
Where can you watch Boots?
The show is available to stream on Netflix.
