Pete Hegseth, chosen by President-elect Trump to head the Defense Department, criticized the media for orchestrating what he described as an intentional campaign to undermine him. In an op-ed published Wednesday in the Wall Street Journal, the military veteran accused the press of circulating anonymous claims aimed at damaging his reputation. “Anonymous story after anonymous story is being peddled to smear me and tear me down. This is a textbook example of a manufactured media takedown,” he asserted.
Hegseth, a former Fox News host, has faced scrutiny over allegations of sexual misconduct, which he insists involved a consensual encounter, as well as his past remarks opposing women in combat roles and accusations of excessive drinking.
Former Fox News host vows resilience despite mounting controversies
Reports have also surfaced regarding his management of two nonprofit organizations. According to The New Yorker, he was removed from leadership roles in these groups due to alleged mismanagement of funds, sexual impropriety, and heavy drinking. Similarly, NBC News reported concerns among his colleagues at Fox News about his alcohol consumption during his tenure as a weekend host.
A separate report from The New York Times last week detailed an email from Hegseth’s mother in 2018 accusing him of mistreating women and lacking character. However, Penelope Hegseth later claimed she had written the email in anger during a difficult period in her son’s divorce and apologized soon afterward. She defended her son as a good father and husband, calling the publication of the email “disgusting.”
Hegseth has made it clear he intends to stand firm despite the backlash, reiterating his resolve in the op-ed. He emphasized his gratitude to President-elect Trump for the nomination and expressed his commitment to a fair Senate confirmation process, not what he termed a “media-driven show trial.”
Meetings with Senators Ted Budd, James E. Risch, and Eric Schmitt took place on Tuesday, but Hegseth’s confirmation remains uncertain. Only four Republican defections would be sufficient, alongside Democratic opposition, to block his appointment. “I have never backed down from a fight, and I won’t back down from this one,” Hegseth declared in his piece.
