Pete Hegseth, President Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, paid $50,000 to a woman who accused him of sexual assault, according to documents obtained by CNN. The payment was made as part of a confidentiality agreement, which Hegseth confirmed in a written response to the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Hegseth, who previously served as a Fox News host, denied the sexual assault allegation, calling it a “nuisance claim.” He said the incident, which allegedly took place in 2017 in Monterey, California, was exaggerated and that the settlement was intended to protect his career from what he described as false accusations.
No criminal charges were filed against Hegseth in connection with the alleged incident. However, his lawyer, Tim Parlatore, confirmed in November that Hegseth paid the woman $50,000 for her silence. This amount, first reported by The Associated Press, was publicly disclosed when Hegseth mentioned it in his testimony to the Senate committee.
Parlatore reiterated that the claims were false, stating in a statement to the news network that the payment was made for “nuisance value” and cost less than defending the case in court.
Hegseth’s nomination for the Pentagon role is moving forward, though it has faced opposition. Two Republican senators, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine, voted against him, citing concerns about his character and qualifications for the position.
During his confirmation hearing, Hegseth was questioned about the sexual assault allegation, workplace behavior, and past comments about women in the military. According to a police report obtained by CNN, the woman told officers that Hegseth physically blocked her from leaving a hotel room, took her phone, and sexually assaulted her, despite her repeatedly saying “no.” Hegseth, however, told police the encounter was consensual and that he made sure the woman was comfortable with what was happening.
In addition to the sexual assault claim, Hegseth has faced accusations of financial mismanagement at a nonprofit he once led. Former employees at another organization he worked for also raised concerns about his drinking and treatment of female staff, according to The New Yorker. A former Fox News producer told CNN that Hegseth’s drinking was well-known among colleagues, with beer cans frequently found in his office trash.
Hegseth has acknowledged drinking heavily during his transition from military service to civilian life but denies having a drinking problem.
Hegseth has also been criticized for past comments suggesting that women should not serve in combat roles. When asked about these remarks during his confirmation hearing, he stated that women make “amazing contributions” to the military and clarified that his concerns were about military standards and readiness, not women’s capabilities.
