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Penelope Hegseth Defends Son’s Character Amid Controversy: A Look at the Trump Transition

In Citizen
January 14, 2025

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Pete Hegseth’s mother went on a Fox show to speak positively about her son’s character and to highlight the personal growth he has undergone. She is defending her son’s character and emphasizing that he has changed for the better.

Written by Jennifer S. Forsyth

Based in Washington,

On Wednesday morning, Penelope Hegseth, the mother of Pete Hegseth, mentioned that her son has changed since 2018 when she sent an email accusing him of mistreating women and lacking morals and integrity.

During an interview on "Fox & Friends," Mrs. Hegseth described Pete as a completely transformed individual who has been forgiven and redeemed.

"I hope that people, especially our female senators, take the time to understand who Pete is today. I encourage you to listen to him with an open heart and recognize the truth about Pete," she expressed. Additionally, she emphasized that Pete does not mistreat women.

She made an appearance following the publication of 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 the email and had apologized to her son in a subsequent email.

Following reports of alcohol misuse and poor management of charitable organizations in an article by The New Yorker, Mr. Hegseth faced additional scrutiny for a police complaint made by a woman who accused him of rape at a political event in 2017. Despite the investigation not leading to any charges, Mr. Hegseth’s lawyer has stated that the encounter was consensual.

The negative consequences of the situation have put Mr. Hegseth’s opportunity to be the leader of 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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