The attack on Pete Hegseth, President Trump’s nominee for Defense Secretary, has taken a disturbing turn as a baseless sexual misconduct allegation from 2017 is being revived despite already being investigated and dismissed. This rehashing of a claim that had been thoroughly debunked raises serious concerns about internal sabotage within the Trump transition team and the media’s role in amplifying this non-issue.
The allegation, originally investigated by the Monterey Police Department, was found to have no supporting evidence. Yet, the media, including Vanity Fair, has decided to reignite the claim, suggesting it could derail Hegseth’s nomination. Sources inside the transition team, who remain anonymous, have leaked details of a meeting between Hegseth, Trump’s legal team, and Chief of Staff Susie Wiles. During the meeting, Hegseth reportedly explained that the incident was consensual, calling it a “he-said, she-said” situation.
STOP THE BACKSTABBING 🐍 The letter sent to try to get Hegseth out was leaked by someone trying to destroy Trump's cabinet picks. "It doesn't matter that the letter was sent, it matters that it was sent to the transition team and not the media." @JFRadioShow pic.twitter.com/89TxirVLq3
— Real America's Voice (RAV) (@RealAmVoice) November 18, 2024
Hegseth’s attorney, Timothy Parlatore, swiftly responded, reaffirming that the police investigation had concluded with no evidence of misconduct. But the fact that the allegation is still being used to target Hegseth is highly suspicious. It suggests that someone inside the transition team is deliberately leaking information to damage his credibility and undermine his confirmation.
The timing of these leaks is highly questionable, with the media choosing to give weight to a baseless allegation instead of focusing on Hegseth’s qualifications for the position of Defense Secretary. This repeated airing of unfounded claims is nothing more than an effort to politicize the confirmation process and tarnish Hegseth’s reputation.
What a shock 🫤
…Dems leak ANOTHER "sexual something or other" story to try to discredit a great Republican appointee.
I'm so over this – I still like Hegseth…this changes nothing.
— PlainJane 🇺🇸 (@PlainJa65866722) November 17, 2024
As if to pile on, The Washington Post added fuel to the fire by reporting that Hegseth allegedly paid the accuser years later, though he continues to deny the allegations. This report only deepens the suspicion that the leaks are part of a coordinated effort to sabotage his nomination.