Recent reports have resurfaced concerning allegations about Pete Hegseth’s conduct during his time at Fox News, leading many to question his current standing with the network. This article delves into the details of these reports and clarifies Hegseth’s employment status, providing a comprehensive overview for those seeking to understand the situation.
Concerns regarding Hegseth’s behavior at Fox News arose from a report by NBC News, citing ten current and former Fox employees. These sources, who remained anonymous due to fear of retaliation, alleged that Hegseth displayed signs of alcohol consumption while on air at “Fox & Friends Weekend.” According to the report, some colleagues claimed to have smelled alcohol on him before broadcasts on over a dozen occasions since his co-hosting role began in 2017. Furthermore, it was mentioned that Hegseth sometimes appeared on air after discussing being hungover. One source even claimed to have detected alcohol on him as recently as last month and heard him complain about hangovers in the fall preceding the report.
Alt text: Pete Hegseth, accompanied by JD Vance, engages with reporters on Capitol Hill after meetings concerning his potential nomination as Secretary of Defense.
Adding to these concerns, The New Yorker published details about Hegseth’s conduct at previous non-profit veterans’ organizations. A whistleblower report from his time as president of Concerned Veterans for America (2013-2016) reportedly described instances of him being intoxicated in his official capacity, sometimes requiring assistance to leave events. Tim Parlatore, Hegseth’s lawyer, dismissed these claims as “outlandish” and originating from a “petty and jealous disgruntled former associate.”
Despite these allegations, NBC News’ sources confirmed that Hegseth never missed a scheduled appearance due to drinking. One former Fox employee noted the behind-the-scenes discussions among staff regarding Hegseth’s behavior before he went on air. These accounts paint a picture of a situation that caused unease among some of his colleagues.
The timeline of these events is crucial to understanding Pete Hegseth’s current position. The NBC News report indicated that concerns about Hegseth’s drinking persisted until Donald Trump announced him as a potential pick to lead the Pentagon. Crucially, the report states that “at which point Hegseth left Fox.” This detail directly addresses the question of whether Pete Hegseth is still with Fox News. According to this reporting, Pete Hegseth is no longer with Fox News. He departed when considered for a role in the Trump administration.
A spokesperson for the Trump transition team defended Hegseth, calling the allegations “completely unfounded and false” and “defamatory lies.” Parlatore reiterated this sentiment, while Fox News did not provide any comment on the matter.
Alt text: Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin delivering remarks during a visit to Kyiv, Ukraine, highlighting the demanding nature of the Defense Secretary role.
The reports also raised questions about Hegseth’s suitability for high-pressure roles, such as Secretary of Defense, given the 24/7 nature of the position and the need for constant readiness. The article cites examples of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s demanding schedule, including responding to the Chinese spy balloon incident at 3 a.m. and the onset of the October 7th Israel attack around midnight ET. The responsibilities of the Secretary of Defense, particularly in safeguarding national security and making critical decisions under pressure, are underscored.
Former Fox colleagues expressed serious reservations. One stated, “For the sake of national security, I really hope he has stopped drinking,” while another asserted, “He should not be secretary of defense. His drinking should be disqualifying.” The article draws a parallel to the 1989 Senate rejection of John Tower as defense secretary due to concerns about his drinking history, highlighting the gravity of such allegations in the context of national leadership.
Further details from the NBC News report reveal the extent of the alleged issues at Fox News. Colleagues described feeling the need to “babysit” Hegseth due to his drinking and late nights, sometimes calling him to ensure he wouldn’t oversleep for his morning show duties. His frequent late arrivals, sometimes just 20 minutes before going live, reportedly added stress for his team, occasionally requiring makeup to be applied while he was already on set.
The New Yorker’s whistleblower report also included an account of Hegseth allegedly drinking heavily at a work event, involving a team outing to a strip club in 2014, where he reportedly became so intoxicated he had to be restrained from going on stage. Similar heavy drinking was reported at social events with Fox News colleagues.
In a separate incident, the Monterey, California, Police Department released records of a 2017 investigation into a sexual assault accusation against Hegseth. The accuser claimed she believed her drink may have been spiked. Hegseth denied any wrongdoing, and no charges were filed. He later settled with the woman for an undisclosed amount, with his lawyer stating it was to avoid further complications during the “MeToo movement.”
In conclusion, reports indicate that Pete Hegseth is no longer employed by Fox News, having left the network when he was under consideration for a position in the Trump administration. The departure coincided with surfacing allegations concerning his conduct and drinking habits during his tenure at Fox News and prior organizations. While Hegseth and his representatives have refuted the allegations, they provide context to the question of his current status and past tenure at Fox News.
