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Pete Hegseth’s mother appeared on a Fox show to defend her son’s character and reassure viewers that he had undergone significant personal growth. Hegseth, who has been selected by President-elect Donald J. Trump as defense secretary, received support from his mother on the network where he was employed.
Written by Jennifer S. Forsyth
Writing from the capital
On Wednesday morning, Penelope Hegseth, the mother of Pete Hegseth, stated that her son had changed since 2018. She mentioned that she had previously sent an email accusing him of mistreating women and lacking moral character.
During an interview on "Fox & Friends," Mrs. Hegseth described Pete as a transformed individual who has been forgiven, redeemed, and changed.
"I really hope that people, especially our female senators, take the time to understand who Pete is today. I ask that you listen to him with an open heart and hear the truth about Pete. It’s important to note that he does not mistreat women."
She made an appearance following The New York Times releasing 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 didn’t stand by what was 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 an article in The New Yorker, there have been further developments. Mr. Hegseth is also dealing with accusations of rape by a woman at a political conference in 2017, although no charges were filed after an investigation and his lawyer claims 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. It is rumored that President-elect Donald J. Trump is considering alternative candidates for the position.
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