Trump's nominee for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, accused of mistreating women for years by his mother
Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, is under scrutiny following the disclosure of a 2018 email from his mother, Penelope Hegseth, alleging a history of mistreatment toward women. The revelations come as Hegseth prepares for Senate confirmation hearings, which are expected to intensify focus on his character and past conduct.
In the email, Penelope Hegseth expressed deep disappointment in her son’s actions, stating, “You are an abuser of women—that is the ugly truth...I have no respect for any man that belittles, lies, cheats, sleeps around, and uses women for his own power and ego. You are that man.” She criticized his treatment of his second wife, Samantha, during their contentious divorce, accusing him of labeling her “unstable” for his advantage.
Penelope later apologized for the email, explaining in a phone interview with The New York Times that her comments were made in anger during a difficult period for her son. Defending Pete, she stated, “It is not true. It has never been true. He is a good father, husband.” She also criticized the publication of her email, calling it “disgusting.”
Allegations and Past Controversies Surrounding Pete Hegseth
Hegseth’s nomination faces scrutiny not only for his mother’s email but also for past allegations of sexual misconduct. In 2017, a woman accused him of rape following an incident at a political conference in Monterey, California. Although no charges were filed, Hegseth later paid a settlement to the accuser, citing his desire
