Pentagon Calls Netflix’s Gay Comedy “Boots” Woke Garbage, But The Ratings Are Great!
UPDATE: Since this story first ran, Netflix cancelled Boots after one season, despite strong reviews and solid early interest. Multiple outlets reported the decision in mid-December 2025, and the show remained available to stream on Netflix.
The Pentagon weighed in on TV again, calling Netflix’s new military dramedy Boots “woke garbage” in an Oct 16 statement to Entertainment Weekly. Press secretary Kingsley Wilson said the Trump-era Defence Department is “restoring the warrior ethos” and keeping “elite, sex-neutral” standards.
Miles Heizer and Liam Oh behind the scenes of BOOTS 💛 pic.twitter.com/EAMQi4Ttwh
— Netflix (@netflix) October 13, 2025
Boots follows a closeted teen at Marine boot camp in the 1990s. It’s inspired by Greg Cope White’s memoir The Pink Marine and stars Miles Heizer with Vera Farmiga, from creator Andy Parker and EP Norman Lear. The series premiered on Oct 9 and is streaming now.
Wilson doubled down, accusing Netflix of pushing an “ideological agenda” and insisting the military “will not compromise our standards.” Netflix didn’t need the publicity boost; the show has been sitting in the platform’s global Top 10 since release.
8 episodes isn’t enough of Miles Heizer as Cameron Cope.
— Greg Cope White (@eatgregeat) October 13, 2025
Hope you’ll keep watching #Boots on @netflix pic.twitter.com/yz2jAoAvkc
The swipe lands amid broader policy moves. In May, the Supreme Court let the administration enforce a ban on transgender service members. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth also removed Harvey Milk’s name from a Navy ship, drawing criticism from veterans and Hollywood figures.
Pop culture spats keep piling up. A White House spokesman trolled Ariana Grande with her own song titles after she criticised Trump. A Homeland Security official snapped at Chappell Roan over her “F— ICE” stage remark, saying, “Pink Pony Club is good. Pedophiles are bad.”
good morning, boots pic.twitter.com/HdIXDwb8k5
— Netflix (@netflix) October 15, 2025
Heizer says the show’s pull is simple. “It’s viewed through this queer lens with a very unique sense of humour that’s specific to the gay community,” he told Them. That tone funny, tender, a little dangerous is why Boots works.
At the end of the day, calling a gay Marine’s true-story adaptation “woke garbage” won’t stop people watching. It just reminds viewers why stories like this matter.
