Trump's embattled defense pick Hegseth vows to fight on, says he won't drink if confirmed
Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump’s embattled pick for defense secretary, brushed aside suggestions that he would drop out and said Trump urged him to “keep fighting.”
WASHINGTON — Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s embattled pick for defense secretary, brushed aside suggestions Wednesday that he drop out and said he had spoken to Trump, who he said urged him to “keep going, keep fighting.”
“I spoke to the president-elect this morning. He said: ‘Keep going, keep fighting. I’m behind you all the way.’” Hegseth told CBS News in the Capitol. “Why would I back down? I’ve always been a fighter. I’m here for the fighters. This is personal and passionate for me.”
Hegseth, a military veteran and former Fox News host, was shuttling between meetings with the Republican senators whose votes he will need to be confirmed.
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His nomination appeared to be in serious jeopardy Tuesday and Wednesday after a series of news reports raised more questions about his treatment of women and his history with alcohol. NBC News reported Tuesday that Hegseth’s drinking concerned his colleagues at Fox News, according to 10 current and former Fox employees. At times, before he went on air, colleagues said, he smelled of alcohol or talked about being hungover.
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