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Pete Hegseth’s mother spoke out on a Fox show to defend her son’s character, stating that he has undergone positive changes. Hegseth is the President-elect Donald J. Trump’s nominee for defense secretary and used to work at the same network where his mother made the statement.
Written by Jennifer S. Forsyth
Writing from the nation
On Wednesday morning, Penelope Hegseth, the mother of Pete Hegseth, stated that her son has changed since 2018. At that time, she sent an email accusing him of mistreating women and lacking morals and integrity.
During an interview on "Fox & Friends," Mrs. Hegseth mentioned that Pete has undergone a transformation and is now a different person. She stated that he has been redeemed, forgiven, and changed.
"I hope that everyone, especially our female senators, will take the time to truly understand who Pete is today. Listen to him with empathy and sincerity, and you will see that he does not mistreat women."
She made a public statement after The New York Times released an email she had written while Mr. Hegseth was going through a difficult divorce from his second wife. In an interview with The Times on Friday, she stated that she did not stand by what she had said in the email and had since apologized to her son in a subsequent email.
Following reports of alcohol abuse and mismanagement of nonprofit organizations in an article by The New Yorker, Mr. Hegseth faced additional scrutiny for a police complaint accusing him of rape at a political conference in 2017. Although no charges were filed after an investigation, Mr. Hegseth’s lawyer stated that the encounter was consensual.
The negative consequences of the situation have put Mr. Hegseth’s prospects of leading the Defense Department in the upcoming Trump administration at risk. Reports suggest that President-elect Donald J. Trump is considering alternative candidates for the position.
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