On Wednesday, Hegseth met with legislators on Capitol Hill, conducted a radio interview and released an opinion article denying allegations of sexual misconduct and alcohol abuse. He insisted he was "not backing down one bit," said Trump was still supporting him, and planned to return today for more meetings with lawmakers.
Responding to this on her American Family Radio program, Jenna Ellis said she supports Hegseth, arguing that "allegations and bad headlines" should not ruin a nomination.
"But ultimately, the prerogative belongs to Trump to choose his Cabinet positions," she continued. "If he doesn't want to expend the political capital on what may be a difficult confirmation – just because senators do have to give advice and consent and they can do that based on whatever merit they choose – then he may decide to pull Pete … and that is his prerogative as well."
Mom's in his corner
Unsurprisingly, Hegseth can count his own mother, Penelope, among his supporters. But at the center of the controversy is a leaked email from her, chastising him for poor life choices seven years ago as he was going through a messy divorce.
She was on Fox & Friends Wednesday, where host Steve Doocy quoted from that email that was leaked to the New York Times:
Doocy: "You say: 'I have no respect for any man that belittles, lies, cheats, and sleeps around' … and you go on and say, 'You are that man and have been for years, and as your mother, it pains me and embarrasses me to say that, but it is a sad, sad truth.'"
Penelope Hegseth said the New York Times didn't publish a subsequent email, taking her accusations back.
"I wrote that [first email] in haste. I wrote that with deep emotions. I wrote that as a parent – and about two hours later I retracted it with an apology," she explained.
She is upset with the Times for what she describes as threats from the reporter.
"They threaten you – that's the first thing they do," she shared. "They say, 'Unless you make a statement, we will publish it as is.' I think that's a despicable way to treat anyone. Threats are dangerous – and they're hard on families."
The New York Times said it obtained the email through someone close to the Hegseth family. Additional accusations are flying around Washington – none of them corroborated – of alcohol abuse and mistreatment of coworkers.
"I don't believe any of that is true – any of it," said Penelope Hegseth.
If not Hegseth, then who?
The Wall Street Journal – among other outlets – is reporting that should Pete Hegseth withdraw his name, President-elect Trump may tap Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for defense secretary. AFR's Jenna Ellis thinks that would be a great position for DeSantis.
"I would have supported him [DeSantis] for attorney general, but the SecDef position is the most powerful position in the president's Cabinet," said Ellis. "It would set him up very well for 2028 and would position him, I think, in a spot that he could use his strategic prowess and expertise in a way that would be very beneficial to the Trump administration."
Ellis dismissed any suggestions that DeSantis and Trump do not get along, adding DeSantis endorsed Trump after the governor suspended his 2024 presidential campaign.
"They're friends, they talk; that's politics and it's fine," said Ellis. "So, I would not be surprised if this headline is accurate, and we will see what ultimately happens."
The allegations about Hegseth have concerned at least one member of Congress. The Associated Press reports that Republican Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa, a military veteran and sexual assault survivor, stopped short of an endorsement after her meeting with Hegseth on Wednesday. She said she appreciates his military service and they “had a frank and thorough conversation.”
