Newsweek, December 2024
Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump’s pick for defense secretary, is fighting to save his nomination amid growing scrutiny of the former Fox News host’s personal conduct and his ability to win Senate confirmation. Hegseth, a former Army National Guard major and combat veteran, is facing questions about his ability to lead the Pentagon amid a sexual assault allegation—which he has denied—and reports about excessive drinking and his work conduct.
Hegseth was accused of sexual assault in 2017 after speaking at a Republican women’s event in Monterey, California, although no charges were filed. Hegseth’s lawyer confirmed that his client paid the woman an undisclosed sum to avoid the threat of a lawsuit and being terminated by Fox News. This past weekend, The New Yorker, citing a whistleblower report and other documents, reported that Hegseth was forced to step down from two nonprofit advocacy organizations that he ran—Veterans for Freedom and Concerned Veterans for America—amid allegations of misconduct, financial mismanagement and sexual impropriety.
