Trump isn’t backing down on Hegseth.
Despite reports to the contrary, President-elect Donald Trump isn’t backing away from Defense Secretary pick Pete Hegseth as the Fox host and military vet faces character attacks from all sides.
Trump dropped a message of support on TRUTH Social Friday morning.
“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. “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, one who leads with charisma and skill. Pete is a WINNER, and there is nothing that can be done to change that!!!”
Vice President-elect JD Vance added, “Led by President Trump, we’re fighting for Pete Hegseth. And we’re doing so because Pete Hegseth will 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.”
Hegseth sat down with Megyn Kelly to discuss the smear campaign against him.
“They never asked those people,” Hegseth told Kelly. “And that’s what a smear looks like. It’s a couple anonymous nuggets, usually from disgruntled people who are fired for cause, who are jealous or want a little bit of retribution. And so they peddle stuff to reporters who are not interested in the truth, they’re interested in smearing someone who supports Donald Trump’s agenda. It’s really clear.”
Hegseth added, “My meetings with (senators) have been fantastic. No one has looked me in the eye and said, ‘I have concerns and I can’t vote for you.’ In fact, most have said, let’s take a picture, and I’m behind you all the way. And that’s a reflection of Donald Trump and the strength of his election, but also the mandate to change something at the Defense Department. We’re not backing down one bit.”
Hegseth met with lawmakers on the Hill this week to shore up support for his nomination.
