In a recent debate for Virginia's U.S. Senate seat, Republican candidate Hung Cao attributed low military recruitment numbers to the Navy's outreach efforts involving drag queens, specifically referencing Yeoman 2nd Class Joshua Kelley, who performs as a drag queen. Cao stated, "What we need is alpha males and alpha females who are going to rip out their own guts, eat them and ask for seconds," in response to diversity initiatives in the military. Incumbent Senator Tim Kaine dismissed Cao's comments as a distraction, arguing that successful recruitment relies on adapting to a changing society and connecting with diverse potential candidates. The Navy has seen significant recruitment challenges, missing goals for the first time in 2023, while Cao's remarks have ignited controversy and gone viral. The debate highlighted broader discussions about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within military recruitment strategies amid changing societal norms.