President-elect Donald Trump doubled down on his support of defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth on Friday as the media campaign against the former Fox News host appears to be losing momentum.
Hegseth, who vowed Thursday to keep vying for his prospective role “as long as Donald Trump wants” him “in the fight,” faces a siege of accusations involving alcohol consumption and sexual misconduct. Trump gave no acknowledgment to the allegations, calling his cabinet pick a “WINNER” in a supportive Truth Social post.
“Pete Hegseth is doing very well. His support is strong and deep, much more so than the Fake News would have you believe. He was a great student – Princeton/Harvard educated – with a Military state of mind. He will be a fantastic, high energy, Secretary of Defense Defense (sic), one who leads with charisma and skill. Pete is a WINNER, and there is nothing that can be done to change that!!!” Trump wrote.
The president-elect was honored Thursday night by Fox News as “Patriot of the Year” in the network’s annual Patriot Awards, an event hosted by Hegseth various years in the past.
Hegseth was the subject of a 2017 investigation into claims he sexually assaulted a woman in California. However, no charges were ever filed relating to the incident, which was reported on in late November. Hegseth vehemently denied the accusations.
Penelope Hegseth, the nominee’s mother, took to Fox News on Wednesday to address a New York Times report of an email condemning her son’s alleged mistreatment of women “for his own power and ego.” She blasted the publication for threatening her in their request for comment. (RELATED: Elizabeth Warren Faces Conservative Blowback For Criticizing Trump’s Defense Secretary Nominee)
Pete Hegseth’s MOTHER goes on Fox News, blasts the New York Times for threatening her before publishing her email.
“I wanna say something about the media… they threaten you. That’s the first thing they do.”
“I think that’s a despicable way to treat anyone.” pic.twitter.com/xtL69RC3Om
— Julianna Frieman (@JuliannaFrieman) December 4, 2024
On Tuesday, an NBC News report citing 10 anonymous former Fox News colleagues alleged Hegseth smelled of alcohol before going live on air. “Fox and Friends Weekend” co-host Will Cain responded by compiling a thread of dozens of Fox News employees publicly defending Hegseth.
Hegseth told SiriusXM’s Megyn Kelly on Wednesday that he believes he is the target of a “smear” campaign comparable to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation process.
Pete Hegseth tells Megyn Kelly that Trump told him he would need to be “tough as shit” and that he “was the man for this moment.”
“Hey Pete I got your back, its a fight, they’re coming after you, get after it.” pic.twitter.com/baXgkCXnQH
— Charlie Spiering (@charliespiering) December 4, 2024
Vice President-elect J.D. Vance reposted Trump’s statement of support Friday, reiterating that team Trump has Hegseth’s back.
Led by President Trump, we’re fighting for Pete Hegseth. And we’re doing so because Pete Hegseth wil fight for our troops.
For too long, the Pentagon has been led by people who lose wars. Pete Hegseth is a man who fought in those wars.
We’ve got his back. pic.twitter.com/6n57SSQQ5X
— JD Vance (@JDVance) December 6, 2024
“Led by President Trump, we’re fighting for Pete Hegseth. And we’re doing so because Pete Hegseth will fight for our troops,” Vance wrote. “For too long, the Pentagon has been led by people who lose wars. Pete Hegseth is a man who fought in those wars.”
Hegseth reposted Trump’s statement and thanked the president-elect.
Thank you Mr. President. Like you, we will never back down. pic.twitter.com/cTNKUfaf83
— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) December 6, 2024
“Thank you Mr. President. Like you, we will never back down,” he wrote.
