Trump reacts after Pete Hegseth squeaks through defense sec vote - as Mitch McConnell stuns Senate with bizarre move after voting AGAINST him

Donald Trump has said 'winning is what matters' after a rare tiebreaker in the Senate was needed to confirm Pete Hegseth as Defense Secretary. Hegseth celebrated with many of his fellow Republicans, as well as his wife and seven children in a photo with Oklahoma 's Markwayne Mullen McConnell was, in a strange scene, witnessed celebrating with Democrats like Delaware 's Chris Coons following the vote despite their loss Donald Trump said that the 'winning is what matters' after hearing that it took a rare tiebreaker in the Senate to confirm Pete Hegseth as the nation's Secretary of Defense Another reporter asked if Trump was worried if Hegseth only getting 50 votes was a predictor of potential trouble for more of the president's nominees. Pete Hegseth needed a tiebreaking vote from JD Vance to confirm him as Donald Trump's Defense Secretary after a last-minute meeting with an on-the-fence GOP Senator Despite defections from former Republican leader Mitch McConnell, as well as Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski, a 50-50 tie was broken by Vice President Vance to send the nomination through and fill out Donald Trump's Cabinet McConnell, who is hawkish on U.S. defense and foreign policy, had voted earlier this week to advance the nomination to the floor but was a no on confirmation. A 50-50 tie was broken by Vice President Vance to send the nomination through and fill out Donald Trump's Cabinet Hegseth posted a letter he'd written to Tills on social media Friday clarifying some questions about his sister-in-law's allegations that he'd abused his second wife Upon hearing the outcome, Vance joked on social media: 'I thought I was done voting in the senate' Hegseth posted a letter he'd written to Tills on social media Friday clarifying some questions about his sister-in-law's allegations that he'd abused his second wife The former Fox News host, 44, responded point-by-point to several of Danielle Dietrich's allegations and finishes with Hegseth saying she is a 'lifelong Democrat' with 'partisan and personal animosity' toward him Tills responded in a statement of his own and noted that he'd met with Hegseth for two hours on Friday Hegseth is Donald Trump's most controversial confirmation so far and he was skating on thin ice before getting a passing vote from senators Friday. Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for Secretary of Defense and his wife Jennifer Rauchet depart after inauguration ceremonies in the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC Thom Tills - who faces re-election in 2026 - told reporters he spoke to Hegseth for two hours earlier Friday and said that he was convinced and believed him In a statement, McConnell slammed the nomination for what he called 'the most consequential cabinet position in any administration.'