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Pete Hegseth’s mother went on a Fox show to speak about her son’s character, defending him and stating that he has changed for the better. Hegseth is the President-elect Donald J. Trump’s nominee for defense secretary.
Written by Jennifer S. Forsyth
Writing from the capital
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 being lacking in decency and character.
Mrs. Hegseth stated on "Fox & Friends" that Pete is now a different person, having been redeemed, forgiven, and transformed.
"I really want people, particularly our female senators, to take the time to understand who Pete is today. I hope you will listen to him with an open heart and trust that he is telling the truth. It’s important to note that he does not mistreat women."
She made an appearance after The New York Times released an email she had written while Mr. Hegseth was going through a difficult divorce from his second wife. She mentioned in an interview with The Times on Friday that she did not stand by what she wrote in that email and that she had apologized to her son in a subsequent email.
Following reports of alcohol abuse and mismanagement at nonprofit organizations in an article by The New Yorker, Mr. Hegseth is facing further scrutiny. A woman accused him of rape at a political conference in 2017, but no charges were filed after an investigation. Hegseth’s lawyer has stated that the encounter was consensual.
The negative consequences of the fallout have put Mr. Hegseth’s potential appointment as the head of the Defense Department in the upcoming Trump administration at risk. It is reported that President-elect Donald J. Trump is considering alternative candidates for the position.
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