President-elect Donald Trump publicly reaffirmed his support for his embattled defense secretary nominee, Pete Hegseth, on Friday, calling him “fantastic” and possessing a “military state of mind.” This show of confidence came amid growing concerns from Republican senators over allegations of rape, financial mismanagement, and drunken behavior — all of which Hegseth denies.
Trump’s endorsement on Truth Social appeared to challenge GOP lawmakers to back Hegseth, despite the nominee’s turbulent past. While Trump had previously considered alternatives like Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, he doubled down on Hegseth, describing him as a “WINNER” with “charisma and skill.”
Hegseth has been lobbying senators to support his nomination, framing the allegations as a smear campaign. Some Trump allies, like influencer Charlie Kirk, threatened primary challenges against dissenting senators. Despite earlier doubts, Hegseth’s prospects seemed to improve by Thursday night.
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