Well, would you look at that — the Pentagon finally found a line it wouldn’t cross. Rear Adm. Michael “Buzz” Donnelly, the man who greenlit drag shows aboard the USS Ronald Reagan — yes, that Ronald Reagan — is out. His nomination to command the Navy’s massive 7th Fleet? Yanked. Withdrawn. Done.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Removes Top Navy Rear Adm. Michael “Buzz” Donnelly Who Allowed Drag Shows on The Aircraft Carrier Ronald Reagan. pic.twitter.com/EtckNvfn3u
— tommy hernandez (@tommy3861) July 10, 2025
And not because of poor leadership, not because of combat readiness issues, not even because of a botched operation overseas. No, his fatal error was letting a taxpayer-funded drag queen named Harpy Daniels split and strut his way across the deck of a U.S. aircraft carrier in heels — and doing so with full command approval.
Let that sink in.
This wasn’t some rogue sailor in a wig sneaking into a talent show. These drag performances were sanctioned by the Navy’s own Morale, Welfare, and Recreation program. Not only approved — they were celebrated. Promoted. Photos. Headlines. “Navy drag queen ‘Harpy Daniels’ is serving looks — and the country,” NBC proudly declared. That wasn’t satire. That was a straight-faced tribute to a military-funded drag act… on a warship named after Ronald Reagan.
This dude got his start doing drag shows on the USS Ronald Reagan in 2017.
The commander of the Reagan in 17, Michael P. Donnelly, is up for promotion now. Thankfully, @SenTuberville is holding up his nom over the Pentagon funding abortions.
This is a fight worth having. https://t.co/WkeZuySz6e
— William Thibeau (@WilliamThibeau) May 3, 2023
The USS Ronald Reagan is supposed to be a floating symbol of American strength. It projects power across the Pacific, deters adversaries, and defends freedom. And under Donnelly’s command, it also hosted drag shows with sailors clapping along while one of their own performed in full makeup, doing splits on Navy time.
And this guy was supposed to lead the 7th Fleet?
For context, the 7th Fleet is the largest U.S. Navy fleet overseas. It patrols the most volatile region on Earth — from the South China Sea to the Korean Peninsula. China is building artificial islands and threatening Taiwan. North Korea is firing missiles again. Russia’s out there causing trouble in the Pacific. And the Pentagon seriously considered handing it over to a man whose most famous command moment involved booking a sailor in sequins?
It’s almost too absurd to believe — but here we are.
Of course, the usual suspects in legacy media rallied around Donnelly and his drag queen sailor. Because what better way to show “progress” than turning our military into a diversity-themed variety hour?
But while NBC cheered and the Military Times turned a blind eye to the bigger picture, real leaders like Sen. Tommy Tuberville tried to sound the alarm. Tuberville didn’t just oppose Biden’s abortion tourism policies in the military — he wanted accountability for how the Defense Department was wasting time, money, and morale on social experiments that have nothing to do with national defense.
He asked the Navy to name the officers behind this circus. No surprise, Donnelly’s name came up. Because leadership means being responsible for what happens under your command — the good, the bad, and the drag show.
And credit where it’s due: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth — no stranger to military readiness or common sense — pulled the plug. Donnelly’s promotion is toast. A message has been sent. Maybe not loudly, maybe not from a press podium, but the nomination’s withdrawal says everything it needs to.
So now the search is on for a new 7th Fleet commander. Someone who doesn’t confuse warships with cabaret clubs. Someone who understands that the Navy’s job is to protect America, not push the envelope on gender theory at sea.
But here’s the question no one wants to answer out loud…
How many more Donnellys are quietly climbing the ranks — and what else is hiding beneath the glitter and the uniforms?
