With Senate support for Pete Hegseth appearing shaky following a wave of allegations about his personal and professional conduct, President-elect Donald Trump reiterated his support for his defense secretary pick on Friday.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump dismissed the impact of the scandals plaguing Hegseth and praised the former Fox News host:
Pete Hegseth is doing very well. His support is strong and deep, much more so than the Fake News would have you believe. He was a great student — Princeton/Harvard educated — with a Military state of mind. He will be a fantastic, high energy, Secretary of Defense Defense, one who leads with charisma and skill. Pete is a WINNER, and there is nothing that can be done to change that!!!
Trump’s public show of support for his defense secretary pick comes as Hegseth, a former Fox News host, works overtime to lobby Republican senators for their backing. Hegseth, who has denied he has a drinking problem, has gone so far as to promise that he won’t drink alcohol if confirmed to the position, according to Republican Sen. Eric Schmitt of Missouri.
Hegseth has also struck a defiant tone in public, writing in The Wall Street Journal that won’t back down from what he called “anonymous accusations of a few disgruntled employees.”
Trump's public display of support follows multiple reports that the president-elect is considering potential replacements for Hegseth, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Elbridge Colby, who served as deputy assistant secretary of defense for strategy and force development during Trump’s first term.