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Pete Hegseth’s mother went on a Fox show to speak positively about her son’s character, stating that he has changed for the better. She is the mother of the person chosen by President-elect Donald J. Trump to be defense secretary.
Written by Jennifer S. Forsyth
Reporting live from the
On Wednesday morning, Penelope Hegseth, the mother of Pete Hegseth, stated that her son has changed since 2018 when she sent an email accusing him of mistreating women and lacking integrity and character.
During an interview on "Fox & Friends", Mrs. Hegseth mentioned that Pete has undergone a transformation and is now a different person, having been redeemed, forgiven, and changed.
"I hope that everyone, particularly our female senators, will take the time to get to know Pete today. Listen to him with an open heart and truly understand the truth about him," she expressed. Additionally, she emphasized that Pete does not mistreat women.
She made an appearance after The New York Times released an email she wrote 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 said in that email and had apologized to her son in a subsequent email.
Following allegations of alcohol abuse and mismanagement of nonprofit organizations reported in The New Yorker, further controversy arose when a woman accused Mr. Hegseth of raping her at a political conference in 2017. Despite an investigation that did not lead to any charges, Mr. Hegseth’s lawyer maintains that the encounter was consensual.
The negative consequences of recent events have put Mr. Hegseth’s opportunity to head the Defense Department in the upcoming Trump administration at risk. President-elect Donald J. Trump is reportedly considering alternative candidates for the position.
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