Pete Hegseth’s mom urges ‘female senators’ to ignore media reports, confirm him as SecDef

Penelope Hegseth, the mother of Donald Trump's current and embattled nominee for U.S. Secretary of Defense, appeared on the cable network where her son Pete works, to urge the U.S. Senate, and especially "female Senators," to disregard media reports—which include allegations of sexual misconduct, excessive alcohol abuse, financial mismanagement of two veterans' organizations, and tattoos suggesting a link to Christian nationalism. Mother Jones on Monday published “A Running List of the Allegations Against Pete Hegseth.” It does not yet include the latest NBC News report that says, “Ten current and former Fox employees say Trump’s pick for defense secretary drank in ways that concerned his co-workers.” But it does characterize the current allegations against Hegseth under the headings: “Mismanagement, a Drinking Problem, and Sexually Inappropriate Behavior,” “Rape Allegation,” and, “His Mother Called Him ‘an Abuser of Women’.” Penelope Hegseth made clear her goal in appearing on Fox News was as much to help get her son confirmed as it was to "discredit the media and how they operate." Journalist Gretchen Carlson, the now former longtime Fox News host whose sexual harassment lawsuit helped bring down Fox News chief Roger Ailes, blasted Penelope Hegseth: "OMG — watching Hegseth’s mom interview on Fox & Friends — twice calling out to GOP female Senators to believe him — saying Pete has changed over 7 years. Pete Hegseth's mom Penelope on Fox & Friends makes a direct appeal on behalf of her son to Trump pic.twitter.com/dsQFEuGlYg — Aaron Rupar December 4, 2024 Penelope Hegseth goes full MAGA on Fox & Friends by attacking the media for coverage of a letter she wrote to her son Pete criticizing him for his abusing behavior pic.twitter.com/95ylJkAhVE — Aaron Rupar December 4, 2024 Penelope Hegseth claims the New York Times's reporting is "almost criminal" pic.twitter.com/J5y1WFPDCs — Aaron Rupar December 4, 2024 READ MORE: How Democrats and Republicans Look at Hunter Biden’s Pardon and One for J6ers