Pete and Joey’s Trivia Throwdown Goes Off the Rails—And America Loved Every Second

What started as a fun-filled Memorial Day tribute quickly morphed into viral television chaos when Fox News veterans Pete Hegseth and Johnny “Joey” Jones squared off in a trivia face-off that audiences won’t soon forget. But the real star? A misbehaving inflatable octopus that nearly wrecked the set—along with Jesse Watters’ dignity.

Welcome to Sink or Swim, the show segment where brains are tested, laughs are guaranteed, and apparently, sea creatures rule.

From the Battlefield to the Buzzer

These weren’t just any contestants. Pete Hegseth, the sharp-tongued former Army National Guard officer and Fox & Friends Weekend host, brought his signature competitive fire to the game. Across from him, Johnny “Joey” Jones, a Marine Corps veteran who lost both legs in Afghanistan, countered with unmatched charm and wit. Their shared history of service and banter-fueled friendship set the perfect tone for what was to come.

With Jesse Watters steering the ship, the segment opened with energy: Pete marching in with a mock salute, Joey rolling in and tossing a toy anchor at his opponent’s feet. A cardboard ship’s wheel spun in the background. The vibes? Absolute party.

Trivia Meets Tactics

Military history, politics, and pop culture collided in a flurry of fast-paced questions and good-natured jabs.

“Who led the Union at Gettysburg?” Hegseth fired off “George Meade” with zero hesitation. Joey shot back, “You only know that ‘cause of your Civil War beard!”

The audience howled. But beneath the comedy was serious competition—both men traded correct answers, buzzer slaps, and sarcastic digs with the intensity of a battlefield… or a particularly heated family game night.

Enter: The Kraken

Then came the twist.

Watters unveiled the “nautical challenge”: an enormous inflatable octopus nicknamed Kraken. The rules? Toss it back and forth while answering questions rapid-fire.

It was chaos from the first throw.

Joey hurled the beast toward Pete, only for it to spin off-course and crash into the set’s faux lighthouse, sending it tumbling. A confetti bucket—meant for the finale—detonated early, showering Watters in glitter.

“This is why we don’t give veterans giant sea creatures!” he shouted as the crowd roared.

Pete, covered in sparkles, grabbed the octopus and blew his Navy trivia. Joey fumbled a mic-snatching tentacle and was heard muttering, “Dang it, this thing’s worse than boot camp!” over a hot mic.

The internet went nuts.

Clips flooded X (formerly Twitter). One user posted: “Pete and Joey vs. The Kraken is the sitcom I never knew I needed.” Another dubbed it “Kraken-gate.”

Final Round Frenzy

Confetti still falling, they pushed to the final question. Joey edged out Pete by correctly answering Band of Brothers as the WWII mini-series. Victory was his—and with it, the coveted captain’s hat.

Pete, ever the showman, slipped on a pair of loser’s flippers and waddled around the set. “Joey, you’re buying the beers after this!” he shouted, laughing.

Joey, in turn, dedicated the win to “every vet out there still pushing forward.” A mic-drop moment that earned him a standing ovation.

More Than Just a Laugh

This wasn’t just a goofy game gone viral. It was a masterclass in camaraderie.

Two men who’ve faced war’s darkest moments stood on a stage, glitter-covered and giggling, reminding millions that laughter can be a powerful kind of healing.

Donations surged to their respective advocacy efforts—Boot Campaign and Vets for Freedom. Fox News dropped a blooper reel and hinted at a rematch later this year.

Watters called it “a love letter to our troops—with a side of glitter.”

A Showdown to Remember

When the lights dimmed and the cameras cut, Pete and Joey stayed behind, swapping stories over the still-toppled set.

“That octopus was tougher than any drill instructor,” Joey joked.

Pete smiled. “I’m training for the rematch.”

They might not have sunk or swam perfectly—but in the eyes of viewers across America, these two veterans absolutely soared.