<p>President-elect Donald Trump released a statement on Friday morning standing by his Secretary of Defense pick, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/pete-hegseth" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pete Hegseth</a>, as legacy media <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/cnn-devotes-multiple-segments-to-pete-hegseth-drinking-beer-on-a-st-pats-day-show" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reports</a> critical of Hegseth&#8217;s credentials and past behavior have ramped up.</p>
<p>Hegseth has been meeting with senators on Capitol Hill and talking to reporters as an NBC News article circulated citing anonymous sources accusing the veteran of excessive consumption of alcohol and worrying his Fox News colleagues. Following the NBC News report, however, multiple colleagues of Hegseth spoke up and defended him. As questions mounted about Hegseth&#8217;s chance to be cleared by the Senate, Trump said he is standing by his nominee, adding that despite &#8220;Fake News&#8221; reports, Hegseth maintains strong support.</p>
<p>&#8220;Pete Hegseth is doing very well. His support is strong and deep, much more so than the Fake News would have you believe,&#8221; Trump <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/113605996857369106" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wrote</a>. &#8220;He was a great student &#8211; Princeton/Harvard educated &#8211; with a Military state of mind. He will be a fantastic, high energy, Secretary of Defense, one who leads with charisma and skill. Pete is a WINNER, and there is nothing that can be done to change that!!!&#8221;</p>
<p>Vice President-elect JD Vance <a href="https://x.com/jdvance/status/1865028676359725196?s=46&amp;t=o-U3qwC25WnWaylJ0oeG7Q" target="_blank" rel="noopener">added</a>, &#8220;Led by President Trump, we&#8217;re fighting for Pete Hegseth. And we&#8217;re doing so because Pete Hegseth will fight for our troops. For too long, the Pentagon has been led by people who lose wars. Pete Hegseth is a man who fought in those wars. We&#8217;ve got his back.&#8221;</p>
<p>Trump is doubling down on his support for Hegseth as legacy media reports cite unnamed Republican senators reportedly concerned about Hegseth&#8217;s nomination being shot down by the Senate. An unidentified senator spoke to <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5025283-hegseth-defense-nomination-doomed/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Hill</a> in a report published on Thursday, saying, “I think most people do not expect Hegseth to make it. There’s seven or eight [Republican] votes against him. It’s a matter of time.” Other reports and unnamed GOP senators have floated Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis as a replacement for Hegseth as Secretary of Defense.</p>
<p>On Wednesday, Hegseth <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/a-fiery-pete-hegseth-goes-on-offensive-in-first-sit-down-interview-since-nomination" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sat down with Megyn Kelly</a> for his first interview since being tapped by Trump and responded to some of the claims made against him. He told Kelly that the NBC News story is a &#8220;smear&#8221; campaign against &#8220;someone who supports Donald Trump&#8217;s agenda.&#8221;</p>
<p>“They never asked those people,” Hegseth told Kelly. “And that’s what a smear looks like. It’s a couple anonymous nuggets, usually from disgruntled people who are fired for cause, who are jealous or want a little bit of retribution. And so they peddle stuff to reporters who are not interested in the truth, they’re interested in smearing someone who supports Donald Trump’s agenda. It’s really clear.”</p>
<p><a href="https://get.dailywire.com/gift-guide/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://get.dailywire.com/gift-guide/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1732727087136000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3Ao27zcTCGutKhTz_xpaKC"><b>CHECK OUT THE DAILY WIRE HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE</b></a></p>
<p>Hegseth added, “My meetings with (senators) have been fantastic. No one has looked me in the eye and said, ‘I have concerns and I can’t vote for you.’ In fact, most have said, let’s take a picture, and I’m behind you all the way. And that’s a reflection of Donald Trump and the strength of his election, but also the mandate to change something at the Defense Department. We’re not backing down one bit.”</p>
<p>The legacy media has also focused on a sexual assault allegation against Hegseth made by an unnamed woman in 2017. Authorities investigated the allegation and no charges were filed against Hegseth.</p>
<p>“It’s very simple,” Hegseth said of the sex assault allegation. “The matter was fully investigated, and I was completely cleared, and that’s where I’m gonna leave it.”</p>

<script async src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<script async src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script><div data-widget-host="revcontent" data-pub-id="165152" data-widget-id="290588"></div><script src="https://delivery.revcontent.com/165152/290588/widget.js"></script>

‘Pete Is A WINNER’: Trump Stands By Hegseth Amid Legacy Media Firestorm

CONTINUE READING

Taxpayer-Funded Exorcisms? The Medicaid Debate Just Got Wild

WATCH: Footage Shows Engine Fly Off UPS Plane Before Crash Killed 15

Violent Teen Takeover Erupts Inside Chipotle As Officials Promise Parents Won’t Escape Blame

Secret Service Agent, Chinese Security Get Into Standoff During Trump Visit

Drinking Water For Thousands Threatened After Disturbing Discovery Underwater

Police ID Man Hit By Frontier Jet, Reveal Horrifying Final Moments

News

Department of Defense

Donald Trump

JD Vance

Military

Pentagon

Pete Hegseth

Politics

Trump Administration

A video goes viral showing a baby being refused his mother by two gay "dads". This is just the tip of the iceberg, which is why we will have an important discussion today about surrogacy. 

Hour 1

The Matt Walsh Show

Ep. 1765 - This Video Is One Of The Worst Things I've Seen In A Long Time 

The Strait of Hormuz officially opens for business (kind of), the Pope makes “shocking” comments on immigration, and President Trump promises UFO disclosure at TPUSA. 


The Michael Knowles Show

Ep. 1956 -  Pope Leo's "SHOCKING" Immigration Comments EXPLAINED

A false miscreed has corrupted our leadership class.


The Andrew Klavan Show

Ep. 1275 - Dumb, Dumber and Progressive

President Trump announces a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, a murder-suicide involving former Democratic Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax shakes Virginia, and France and Britain hold a conference to secure the Strait of Hormuz – after the Iranian conflict ends. Get the facts first with Morning Wire.

- - -

Ep. 2738

- - -

Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3

- - -

Today's Sponsors:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text 'WIRE' to 83848 to learn more.

Pocket Hose - Text MORNING to 64000 to get a FREE pocket pivot and their 10-pattern sprayer with the purchase of ANY size Copper Head hose. Message and data rates may apply.

Morning Wire

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26 [Member Exclusive]

A ceasefire goes into effect between Israel and Lebanon, a tragic murder-suicide rocks Virginia, and Dairy Queen deploys AI in the drive-thru. Get the facts first with Evening Wire.
- - -
Ep. 2737
- - -
Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3 
- - -
Today’s Sponsor:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text “WIRE” to 83848 to learn more.


Evening Wire: Lebanon Ceasefire Begins & Murder-Suicide Rocks VA | 4.16.26

The Pendragon Cycle

Menu

— News —

‘Pete Is A WINNER’: Trump Stands By Hegseth Amid Legacy Media Firestorm