It was supposed to be a standard, flag-waving Sunday morning on the "Fox & Friends" plaza. June 14, 2015. Flag Day. The West Point Hellcats—an elite drum and bugle corps—were there to provide a patriotic soundtrack for the morning’s festivities.
Then came the axe.
People still talk about it like it was a fever dream, but the pete hegseth axe throwing incident is very real. It’s one of those rare live TV moments that went from a fun "lumberjack" segment to a potential tragedy in about two seconds flat. Hegseth, a combat veteran and long-time host, picked up a double-headed axe. He took aim at a wooden target. He threw.
He missed. High.
The heavy blade sailed over the top of the wooden wall. Behind that wall stood Jeff Prosperie, a Master Sergeant and world-class drummer. The axe didn't just disappear; it struck Prosperie on the arm while he was in the middle of a performance.
The Physics of a Live TV Disaster
A lot of folks think axe throwing is just about strength. It’s not. It’s about rotation. Hegseth launched the weapon with plenty of force, but the arc was all wrong. Instead of burying itself in the pine target, the axe cleared the entire structure.
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Basically, the setup was a safety nightmare.
You had a live performance happening directly in the "overshoot" zone. In the world of range safety, that’s a massive no-no. Jeff Prosperie later noted on social media that the broad side of the axe hit his elbow first before the blade grazed his wrist.
If it had been a few inches to the left or right?
Honestly, we’d be talking about a fatal accident on national television. Prosperie was lucky. He walked away with cuts and a very sore arm, but he managed to stay on his feet. The cameras actually kept rolling for a bit, and Hegseth even interviewed the band shortly after, seemingly unaware in the moment of just how close he’d come to a catastrophe.
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The Legal Aftermath and "Negligence"
You can’t just throw an axe at a soldier on live TV and expect the story to vanish. While Fox News initially apologized and claimed they offered medical assistance (which they say Prosperie declined at the time), the drummer eventually filed a lawsuit in 2018.
The lawsuit didn't just target Hegseth. It named Fox News and the show’s producers.
The core of the legal argument was "wanton and reckless" negligence. Prosperie’s lawyers argued that the target was placed in a way that put "pedestrians and other individuals in the path of peril." They weren't wrong. If you’ve ever been to an axe-throwing bar, you’ll notice floor-to-ceiling cages and strictly enforced "no-go" zones. None of that was present on the Fox plaza that morning.
The drummer claimed the incident caused permanent injuries to his body and mind. He mentioned "disfigurement and loss of body function" in the court filings. For a professional musician, an elbow or wrist injury isn't just a bruise—it’s a career-threatening event.
Why the Video Keeps Resurfacing
The pete hegseth axe throwing clip is the ultimate "cringe" video, but it gained a second life in late 2024 and early 2026. Why? Because Hegseth moved from the couch of a morning show to the short-list for some of the highest offices in the land.
Whenever his name pops up in political circles, the video of the flying axe follows.
It has become a metaphor for his critics—a symbol of what they call "unpredictability" or a "lack of situational awareness." On the flip side, his supporters usually dismiss it as a freak accident from a decade ago that has nothing to do with his ability to lead or analyze policy.
Regardless of where you stand politically, the video is a masterclass in why safety protocols exist. You see the axe leave his hand, the camera pans, and you see a man in uniform suddenly flinch and clutch his arm. It’s visceral.
Lessons from the Plaza
- Know your backdrop: This is the first rule of any projectile sport. Never throw toward something you aren't willing to hit.
- TV is not a vacuum: Just because a producer says "it'll be fine" doesn't mean the laws of physics will cooperate.
- Double-headed axes are tricky: They are heavier and have a different center of gravity than the single-bit hatchets most people use today.
What Happened to the Case?
The legal battle eventually quieted down. Most of these high-profile negligence suits end in confidential settlements. Neither Hegseth nor Prosperie have spent much time recently relitigating the event in public. Prosperie continued his career with the West Point Band, remaining one of the most respected percussionists in the military.
Hegseth continued his rise at Fox, eventually becoming a staple of their weekend programming and a best-selling author.
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But the internet never forgets.
If you’re looking for the pete hegseth axe throwing footage today, you’ll find it across YouTube and social media, often titled with some variation of "TV Fails" or "Close Calls." It serves as a permanent reminder that even on a scripted morning show, things can go sideways in a heartbeat.
If you find yourself at an axe-throwing venue this weekend, take a look at the walls. Look at the cages. They are there specifically because of moments like this. Safety isn't just a suggestion; it’s the difference between a fun Saturday night and a lawsuit in the New York Supreme Court.
Next Steps for Safety:
If you're planning an event involving any kind of projectile—whether it's for a backyard party or a public demo—always establish a clear "danger zone" at least 20 feet behind and to the sides of your target. Use high-impact netting or solid plywood barriers that extend at least 4 feet above your target height to catch overshoots. Never allow bystanders or performers to be positioned behind the target line, even if there is a wall between them.