Fox News personality Pete Hegseth is set to sit for an interview with his own network on Wednesday as part of his efforts to salvage his nomination to serve as President-elect Donald Trump’s secretary of defense, CNN’s Kaitlan Collins reported on Tuesday evening.
“In a sign of how seriously the Trump transition team is viewing Republican senators’ concerns about Pete Hegseth, he is expected to sit for an interview with Fox News tomorrow, I’m told by multiple people,” Collins posted to X. “That’s notable given most (if not all?) of Trump’s Cabinet picks have been told not to do media until after they are confirmed.”
Hegseth’s nomination quickly faced significant challenges, particularly due to allegations of sexual assault that surfaced almost immediately after his selection. The controversy intensified with reports about a police report and claims of hush money payments, adding further complications to his confirmation process.
Additionally, several current and former colleagues of Hegseth have publicly accused him of having a drinking problem, raising concerns about his fitness for the role. NBC News reported that at least six Senate Republicans were unwilling to commit to supporting Hegseth’s nomination if it progresses.
This setback for Hegseth follows another nomination controversy involving President Trump’s initial pick for attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL). Gaetz’s nomination unraveled as the House Ethics Committee debated whether to release the findings of an investigation into allegations of child sex trafficking, drug use, and accepting improper gifts. In light of this, Trump ultimately chose former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, who had served as his defense counsel during his first impeachment, to replace Gaetz.
Hegseth’s upcoming interview with Fox News signals the Trump transition team’s recognition of the mounting concerns from Republican senators and their attempt to address them as his confirmation process continues to unfold.