Fox News host Pete Hegseth, who was named by President-elect Donald Trump as a candidate for Secretary of Defense, paid a confidential financial settlement to a woman who accused him of sexual assault. Hegseth’s lawyer, Timothy Palatore, confirmed the payment, stating it was made to prevent potential job loss at Fox News. Despite the settlement, Hegseth denies any wrongdoing, claiming the encounter was consensual.
Palatore explained that the decision to settle was based on the risk of a lawsuit harming Hegseth’s career, as Fox News might have terminated him simply due to the accusation. He asserted that the woman and her attorney were aware that filing a lawsuit would create a media frenzy that could jeopardize Hegseth’s position.
Fox News has not commented on when it became aware of the settlement. Palatore also revealed that Trump’s transition team was informed of the situation, although he was unsure if they were aware of the accusation and settlement prior to nominating Hegseth.
Despite these revelations, Trump appears undeterred in his decision. His communications director, Steven Cheung, stated that Hegseth is a "high-caliber candidate" and noted that no charges were filed. The alleged incident occurred on October 8, 2017, at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa. The accuser filed a complaint with local police days later, and medical reports indicated she had bruising on her thigh. However, no charges were ultimately pursued.
The Washington Post first reported the financial settlement, citing a memo sent to Trump’s team by an acquaintance of the accuser. The memo alleged that Hegseth assaulted a conservative group staffer after a night of drinking. The woman reportedly had a hazy memory of the incident and experienced a panic attack the following day. CBS News could not independently verify the memo’s content.
Palatore maintained that evidence, including surveillance footage, shows the encounter was consensual and that the accuser was the initiator. However, he declined to provide the footage or the names of witnesses to CBS News. Meanwhile, CNN reported that the alleged victim appeared visibly distressed when Hegseth’s name was mentioned and declined further interviews.
The timeline of the settlement remains vague, with Palatore stating it occurred "a couple of years ago," prior to Trump’s presidency. He characterized the accuser’s actions as "extortion and blackmail," alleging she sought money after losing her job and later threatened to sue Hegseth.
Hegseth's nomination has been controversial, drawing surprise and concern from some Washington insiders. Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski, when informed of the pick, responded simply with, "Wow." Hegseth has also faced scrutiny over a tattoo reading "Deus Vult," a phrase linked to the Christian Crusades and sometimes associated with extremist groups. A member of his National Guard unit raised concerns about the tattoo, leading to Hegseth's removal from duties during President Joe Biden’s inauguration over fears he could be an "insider threat."
Despite this, figures like Vice President-elect JD Vance have publicly defended Hegseth. Vance criticized reports about the tattoo as an attack on Christianity, a sentiment Hegseth echoed on social media, framing the scrutiny as targeting conservatives and Christians.
The controversy surrounding Hegseth’s settlement is reminiscent of Trump’s own legal battles involving nondisclosure agreements. Trump faced a high-profile trial over alleged hush money payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, resulting in a felony conviction related to falsified business records. He continues to challenge the verdict, citing presidential immunity.
Overall, the allegations and settlement have added to the already contentious atmosphere surrounding Hegseth’s potential appointment as Secretary of Defense, raising questions about the vetting process and the implications for Trump's administration.
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