Trump Defends Hegseth Amid Assault Allegations

Pete Hegseth, nominated by Donald Trump for Secretary of Defense, is facing serious allegations of sexual assault, excessive drinking, and creating a hostile work environment. Trump publicly backed Hegseth, calling the accusations a 'smear campaign' by the media and praising Hegseth's credentials. Hegseth admitted to paying off an accuser from a 2017 rape allegation to protect his family and job, asserting that he never had a drinking problem despite reports suggesting otherwise. His mother described him as an 'abuser of women' in a past email, which she later retracted, attributing the harsh words to personal issues during his divorce. Hegseth has vowed to fight against these allegations, expressing confidence in his confirmation process, while acknowledging some truth in the reports against him. Amidst the controversy, he emphasized receiving encouragement from Trump and support from certain senators during his Capitol Hill meetings.