Pete Hegseth
President-elect Donald Trump on Friday reaffirmed his unwavering support for Pete Hegseth as his nominee for Secretary of Defense.
Trump’s public endorsement on Truth Social comes amid growing speculation about the former Fox News pesonality’s viability in a Republican-controlled Senate.
In a forceful statement, Trump called Hegseth “a WINNER,” dismissing media reports suggesting doubts about his nomination.
“Pete Hegseth is doing very well. His support is strong and deep, much more so than the Fake News would have you believe,” Trump posted. “He was a great student – Princeton/Harvard educated – with a Military state of mind. He will be a fantastic, high-energy Secretary of Defense, one who leads with charisma and skill. Pete is a WINNER, and there is nothing that can be done to change that!!!”
This endorsement offers a lifeline to Hegseth, who is working to secure the necessary votes amid mounting opposition and skepticism.
Responding to Trump’s statement, Hegseth said, “Thank you Mr. President. Like you, we will never back down”.
Despite Trump’s affirmation, Hegseth faces a tough road to confirmation. Multiple GOP senators remain non-committal, reflecting concerns over allegations against him, including heavy drinking, financial mismanagement of a veterans’ nonprofit, and sexual misconduct—all of which he has denied.
Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and a combat veteran, expressed hesitation.
“I think for a number of our senators, they want to make sure that any allegations have been cleared, and that’s why we have to have a very thorough vetting,” Ernst said during a Fox News interview.
Other senators echoed Ernst’s cautious approach.
Sen. Mike Rounds (R-South Dakota) stated, “I really do see a path forward for him to be successful in being accepted by the Senate for this position, but he’s got more work to do.”
Trump has not been actively lobbying GOP senators to back Hegseth.
Instead, the President-elect appears to expect his nominee to secure support independently.
Hegseth, aware of the uphill battle, has pledged to fight for every vote. “We’re going to earn those votes,” he told reporters on Thursday.
The allegations against Hegseth, including claims of misconduct and poor judgment, have intensified scrutiny.
Reports of heavy drinking surfaced through anonymous sources, and a whistleblower report accused him of financial mismanagement during his tenure at a veterans’ nonprofit.
Hegseth and his allies have strongly denied the accusations, emphasizing that many of the claims lack named sources.
Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) criticized such reports, saying, “As far as I can tell, the New Yorker article had zero named sources. So, you know, you’ve got to take those with a grain of salt.”
Hegseth has cast his personal journey as one of redemption.
“I’m a different man than I was years ago, and that’s a redemption story that I think a lot of Americans appreciate,” he said, crediting his faith and family for his transformation.
Some senators, including Rick Scott (R-Florida) and incoming Senator Jim Banks (R-Indiana), have endorsed Hegseth’s nomination. However, others remain undecided.
Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota), initially skeptical due to reports of the combat veteran’s drinking, was reassured by the nominee’s promise to abstain from alcohol if confirmed.
Still, many senators, including Sen. Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina), are withholding judgment.
“I’ve taken the posture right now that my colleagues are going to fully vet, have thorough hearings, and if it comes out with a strong Republican vote on the committees that I’m not on, I’m inclined to support him,” Tillis said.
Hegseth continues to meet with senators, seeking to alleviate their concerns while rallying MAGA allies to pressure undecided lawmakers.
While some Republicans have warned colleagues of potential primary challenges for opposing Trump’s nominee, others argue that the allegations need thorough examination.
With the Armed Services Committee set to begin hearings soon, the outcome remains uncertain.
If confirmed, the Trump Defense Secretary pick will face the daunting task of uniting a divided Senate, but for now, his immediate focus remains survival.
“As long as Donald Trump wants me in this fight, I’m going to be standing right here in this fight,” Hegseth said. His resilience underscores his determination to win confirmation despite significant hurdles.
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