Current and former Fox News employees say Hegseth's drinking raised concerns
Breaking News: Pete Hegset’s Nomination for Defense Secretary in Peril
In a developing story, we are learning that President-elect Trump’s controversial nominee for Defense Secretary, Pete Hegset, may be facing significant opposition in the Senate. Sources close to the matter have revealed that at least six Republican Senators may oppose his confirmation, leaving Trump with a narrow margin of error.
However, in a stunning development, NBC News has obtained information that Hegset’s personal habits during his time at Fox News may have contributed to the growing opposition. According to nearly a dozen current and former Fox News employees, Hegset was known to consume large amounts of alcohol, with some reporting that he would often show up to work hungover or smelling of alcohol, and would require rapid preparation for his shows.
Concerns over Hegset’s Drinking Habits
This is not the first time concerns about Hegset’s drinking habits have surfaced. Just last weekend, Concerned Veterans for America released a report detailing Hegset’s alleged excessive drinking during his time at the Veterans Groups, citing multiple incidents of "excessive drinking and recklessness."
Our correspondent Courtney QB is live at the Pentagon, where she spoke to us about the latest developments.
"Over the last 48 hours, we’ve been hearing a lot about the concerns raised by colleagues and former colleagues about Hegset’s consumption of alcohol during his time at Fox News," Courtney explained. "We’ve spoken to nearly a dozen individuals who have come forward with concerns about Hegset’s behavior, including allegations of excessive drinking at official events, and even on the Fox News set."
Several sources described how Hegset would often show up to work early in the morning, smelling of alcohol, and would require quick preparation to get him on air. "It was a real challenge for the staff to work with someone who was in a state like that," one individual told us.
Trump Transition Team Denies Allegations
When asked for comment, Hegset’s attorney referred us to the Trump transition team, which has vehemently denied the allegations. "These claims are completely unfounded," a team spokesperson said. "We believe that they are the result of a coordinated effort to discredit Pete Hegset, and we will not stand for it."
Fox News has yet to comment on the matter, but it is clear that the controversy surrounding Hegset’s nomination for Defense Secretary is far from over. With at least six Republican Senators reportedly considering voting against his confirmation, it remains to be seen if Hegset will ultimately be confirmed as the next head of the Department of Defense.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story continues to unfold.
