President-elect Donald Trump on Friday offered an emphatic public defense of his embattled nominee for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, after weeks of silence had fueled speculation that the White House might reconsider the choice. Trump's show of support, posted on his social media platform, Truth Social, came as the nomination faced growing uncertainty on Capitol Hill amid allegations of sexual misconduct, heavy drinking, and financial improprieties that have left key Republican senators wavering.
"Pete Hegseth is doing very well. His support is strong and deep, much more so than the Fake News would have you believe," Trump wrote, adding that he believed Hegseth's "military state of mind" would serve the Pentagon well. "Pete is a WINNER, and there is nothing that can be done to change that!!!" he continued, calling Hegseth "one who leads with charisma and skill." Vice President-elect JD Vance, in a separate post on X, also defended the nominee, stating, "We're fighting for Pete Hegseth ... because Pete Hegseth will fight for our troops."
Hegseth, a former Army officer and media personality, faces formidable hurdles in securing Senate approval. Allegations have surfaced that he engaged in sexual misconduct, pursued female subordinates, drank excessively, and mismanaged finances. These claims, some dating back several years, have stirred unease even among Republicans traditionally inclined to support Trump's picks. Chief among the skeptics is Sen. Joni Ernst (R., Iowa), a combat veteran and advocate for survivors of sexual violence, who has yet to commit her backing.
Aides involved in Hegseth's nomination effort have told Trump's team they have not definitively lost the support of three Republican senators-the critical margin that could derail the confirmation. However, they acknowledge Ernst's reluctance poses a significant problem. Ernst met privately with Hegseth earlier this week and later told Fox News that she remained undecided, emphasizing the importance of thoroughly vetting such serious allegations. "For a number of our senators, they want to make sure that any allegations are cleared," Ernst said, agreeing that she had not reached a "yes" on the nominee.
Inside Trump's inner circle, some aides have questioned Ernst's motivations, suggesting she may harbor ambitions to become defense secretary herself. A spokesman for Ernst flatly denied that claim, stating, "She is not seeking the position, full stop." Still, the friction underscores how fragile the nomination remains, as the administration's Mar-a-Lago-based transition team worries that Ernst's doubts could embolden other senators to oppose Hegseth.
Trump aides have signaled that if Hegseth's nomination collapses, the president-elect would consider alternatives. Two people familiar with the discussions say Trump has privately mentioned Michael Waltz, currently tapped as national security adviser, as a capable fallback option. Another contender could be Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a onetime primary rival who now maintains ties to the president-elect.
Meanwhile, Hegseth has embarked on a full-fledged media offensive. He canceled a scheduled Fox News appearance in favor of a long-form interview with Megyn Kelly on SiriusXM. "It is the classic art of the smear," Hegseth told Kelly, likening the allegations to those lodged against Justice Brett Kavanaugh during his Supreme Court confirmation. He also pledged that, if confirmed, he would cease drinking entirely, comparing it to military restrictions he once followed during deployments.
Hegseth's attempts to control the narrative extended to deploying family members as character witnesses. His mother appeared on Fox & Friends, retracting a 2018 email she had sent her son accusing him of abusive behavior toward women. "He's redeemed, forgiven, changed," she said, urging senators to grant him a chance.
