Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News host who President-elect Donald Trump wants to make Defense Secretary, is facing serious new accusations. A whistleblower has come forward with information about Hegseth’s time leading two veterans’ groups, Veterans for Freedom (VFF) and Concerned Veterans for America (CVA), that paints a troubling picture of his behavior. The whistleblower claims that Hegseth mismanaged finances, made inappropriate advances toward female employees, and drunken behavior in public.
Financial Problems and Toxic Work Environment
While Hegseth was in charge of CVA from 2013 to 2016, several former employees say he was often drunk during official events. Some staff members even had to carry him out of meetings because he couldn’t stand on his own, according to The New Yorker. The report also says that Hegseth and other leaders at CVA divided female staff into two groups: “party girls” and “not party girls.” Women in the “party girls” group were allegedly subject to unwanted sexual attention.
One employee claimed she was sexually assaulted by another staff member at a strip club in Louisiana. She received a settlement and signed an agreement to keep quiet, but still faced mistreatment at work. Other women were afraid to speak up about harassment because they feared losing their jobs.
At one point, Hegseth was reportedly so drunk at the strip club that he had to be stopped from trying to get on stage with the dancers.
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Trouble at Veterans for Freedom
Hegseth also ran Veterans for Freedom from 2007 to 2012. During this time, the group had serious financial problems, with over $430,000 in unpaid bills and credit card debt of up to $75,000. In 2009, Hegseth sent a letter to the group’s donors admitting the organization was in financial trouble and asking for more money to stay afloat.
Eventually, the group merged with another organization, and Hegseth’s role was reduced until he left in 2012.
Inappropriate Behavior and Drinking
Former colleagues of Hegseth, both at Fox News and at the veterans’ groups, have spoken about his behavior. They say he often drank heavily and acted inappropriately toward women, especially when his family wasn’t around. One former colleague recalled that Hegseth had a “what-happens-in-Vegas-stays-in-Vegas” attitude and would often get drunk and touch women inappropriately.
Resignation and Growing Concerns
Hegseth resigned from Concerned Veterans for America in 2016, amid growing pressure. Some of the people who contributed to the whistleblower report say that they witnessed Hegseth’s drunken behavior many times and believe he would be unfit to serve as Defense Secretary.
Hegseth has denied all the accusations, calling them “outlandish” and saying they come from a “jealous former associate.” His lawyer has not yet commented on the new claims.
With these new allegations adding to concerns about Hegseth’s past, many are questioning whether he is the right person to lead the U.S. military.
