Pete Hegseth, a prominent figure in conservative media and a Fox News host, has often found himself in the spotlight, not just for his on-air commentary but also for a series of controversies that have trailed his career. Following recent revelations about a financial settlement related to sexual assault allegations dating back to 2017, questions about Pete Hegseth’s current position and future have resurfaced. This article delves into the details of these allegations, his past controversies, and examines where Pete Hegseth is now, focusing on his role at Fox News and the broader context of his public life.
A History of Allegations and Misconduct
Before becoming a full-time Fox News host in 2017, Hegseth’s leadership roles at two non-profit advocacy groups, Veterans for Freedom and Concerned Veterans for America (CVA), were marred by serious accusations. Documents and accounts from former colleagues paint a picture of financial mismanagement, sexual impropriety, and personal misconduct that led to his departure from both organizations.
A previously undisclosed whistleblower report concerning Hegseth’s tenure as president of Concerned Veterans for America from 2013 to 2016 details a pattern of concerning behavior. The seven-page report, compiled by multiple former CVA employees and sent to senior management in February 2015, alleges repeated instances of intoxication while Hegseth was acting in his official capacity. The report claims that on one occasion, Hegseth, allegedly inebriated, had to be physically restrained from joining dancers at a Louisiana strip club he had brought his team to.
Furthermore, the whistleblower report describes a workplace culture under Hegseth’s leadership where sexual harassment was prevalent. It alleges that Hegseth, who was married at the time, and other members of his management team engaged in the sexual pursuit of female staffers, categorizing them as either “party girls” or “not party girls.” The report also asserts that CVA under Hegseth became a hostile work environment, failing to address serious accusations of impropriety, including an allegation that a female employee was sexually assaulted by another staff member at the aforementioned Louisiana strip club.
Adding to these serious allegations, a separate complaint from a former employee in late 2015 described an incident in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, on May 29, 2015. While on an official tour, Hegseth was allegedly at a bar in the early morning hours, drunkenly chanting “Kill All Muslims! Kill All Muslims!”
Denials and Reactions to the Allegations
In response to inquiries regarding these allegations, Tim Parlatore, a lawyer representing Hegseth, issued a statement attributed to an “advisor.” The statement dismissed the claims as “outlandish” and characterized them as being “laundered through The New Yorker by a petty and jealous disgruntled former associate of Mr. Hegseth’s.” The statement further challenged the journalistic integrity of the reporting, stating, “Get back to us when you try your first attempt at actual journalism.”
Senator Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat from Connecticut and a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, expressed alarm and disqualification regarding the reports of Hegseth’s drinking. In an interview, Blumenthal, who at the time was in a position to review potential nominations, stated, “Much as we might be sympathetic to people with continuing alcohol problems, they shouldn’t be at the top of our national-security structure.” He emphasized the serious responsibilities of the Secretary of Defense, including decisions on national security, nuclear weapons, troop deployment, and drone strikes, arguing that entrusting such responsibilities to someone potentially incapacitated due to alcohol would be an unacceptable risk. Blumenthal drew a parallel to the Senate’s rejection of Senator John Tower’s nomination for Secretary of Defense in 1989 due to similar concerns about drinking and womanizing.
Hegseth’s Departure from Concerned Veterans for America
Amidst these mounting controversies, Pete Hegseth resigned from Concerned Veterans for America in January 2016. While reports at the time suggested a “mutual” decision and cited “rumors of a rift between the former C.E.O. and the group’s financial backers,” sources familiar with the situation indicated that Hegseth was forced to step down partly due to concerns about mismanagement and alcohol abuse on the job.
An email sent to Hegseth’s successor at CVA, Jae Pak, with the subject line “Congratulations on Removing Pete Hegseth,” further underscored the internal turmoil. The email, sent pseudonymously by a whistleblower, included a copy of the report and highlighted the widespread “disgust for Pete” among the staff. It accused Hegseth of treating organizational funds as a “personal expense account” for partying and drinking, and using CVA events for “hooking up” with women.
Where is Pete Hegseth Now? Continued Role at Fox News
Despite these serious allegations and his forced resignation from CVA, Pete Hegseth is currently still a prominent co-host on Fox News. He co-hosts “Fox & Friends Weekend” and frequently appears on other Fox News programs, maintaining a visible presence in conservative media.
His continued role at Fox News, even after the resurfacing of these allegations and the recent revelation of the sexual assault settlement, speaks to the complex dynamics of media and political affiliations. While the controversies might have derailed a potential career in public office, as suggested by the initial context of the article regarding a Secretary of Defense nomination, they have not impacted his position within Fox News.
In conclusion, Pete Hegseth is currently employed as a Fox News host. While his past is marked by serious allegations of misconduct and controversy, he remains a fixture in conservative media, demonstrating the resilience of established figures within their respective spheres despite public scrutiny. The question of whether these past allegations will have future repercussions for his career remains open, but for now, Pete Hegseth continues to broadcast regularly on Fox News.
