Special Poll
The New York Times reported that Penelope Hegseth, the mother of Pete Hegseth, President-elect Trump’s nominee for Defense Secretary, wrote an emotional email to her son in 2018, accusing him of mistreating women and lacking integrity. The email, written during a tumultuous time in her son’s life, criticized his behavior, stating, “You have abused women in some way, belittled, lied, cheated, and used them for power and ego.” However, Penelope later apologized for her remarks, explaining that they were made in anger during his divorce.
In an interview with The Times, Penelope clarified her initial email was not reflective of her son’s character, describing him as a devoted father and husband. She expressed dismay over the private email being shared publicly, calling its publication “disgusting.”
The controversy comes amid criticism of Pete Hegseth for allegations of sexual misconduct in 2017, which surfaced after his nomination to lead the Pentagon. Hegseth has denied the accusations, maintaining that the interaction was consensual and part of an attempted blackmail scheme. His lawyer, Timothy Parlatore, stated that Hegseth was cleared of wrongdoing after a police investigation determined the woman involved was the aggressor.
Hegseth has also sparked debate with his recent comments opposing women in combat roles and his call to remove what he described as “woke” generals from the Pentagon. While no Republican senators have outright opposed his confirmation, some have voiced concerns. With a slim majority in the Senate, only four Republican defections could block his nomination.
The incident has added another layer of scrutiny to Hegseth’s nomination, with some questioning both his past actions and his suitability for such a prominent role. Critics argue that the attention surrounding these allegations complicates what is already a contentious nomination process.