The knives have been out for Pete Hegseth ever since President re-elect Donald Trump announced the Fox & Friends weekend co-host’s nomination as incoming Secretary of Defense. The latest stab at his reputation? The claim that he’s a notorious drunk who shows up to work with all three of his sheets in the wind, to the point where even his coworkers are worried.
In a post on X Tuesday, journalist Yashar Ali asserted that “Ten current and former Fox employees say that Pete Hegseth, Trump’s pick for defense secretary, drank in ways that concerned his co-workers," all based on an NBC article citing 10 unnamed "sources."
“Two of those people said that on more than a dozen occasions during Hegseth’s time as a co-host of “Fox & Friends Weekend,” which began in 2017, they smelled alcohol on him before he went on air,” Ali went on, adding, “Three current employees said that his drinking remained a concern up until Trump announced him as his choice to run the Pentagon, at which point Hegseth left Fox.”
NEW
— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) December 3, 2024
Ten current and former Fox employees say that Pete Hegseth, Trump’s pick for defense secretary, drank in ways that concerned his co-workers.
Two of those people said that on more than a dozen occasions during Hegseth’s time as a co-host of “Fox & Friends Weekend,” which… pic.twitter.com/AUoRAMBD7b
There’s just one problem: no one at Fox seems to be publicly confirming the report, which is based solely on less than a dozen anonymous "sources" unwilling to go on the record. In the meantime, more and more of Hegseth’s network coworkers and regular guests have poured from the woodwork to claim none of it is true.
“Bullshit. 100 percent bullshit. Actually…horseshit,” said Will Cain, co-host of Fox & Friends Weekends who regularly worked beside Hegseth.
Bullshit. 100 percent bullshit. Actually…horseshit. https://t.co/GgD6Ax455q
— Will Cain (@willcain) December 3, 2024
“Your story is horseshit @NBCNews," Cain went on in a follow-up. “Put my name on it. On the record. It’ll be your only on the record source. Signed, The guy who sat next to him for 8 hours every week for five years starting at 6am.”
Related: Leftist Media Attempts To Defend Hunter Pardon Don’t Add Up
Fox News contributor Sara Carter posted, “I have known @PeteHegseth since we were both at The Blaze way back when and as a contributor for Fox since 2017, I have never once seen this type of reported lies or behavior. He’s always been a gentleman and great guy!”
I have known @PeteHegseth since we were both at The Blaze way back when and as a contributor for Fox since 2017, I have never once seen this type of reported lies or behavior. He’s always been a gentleman and great guy! https://t.co/U5DkD6HYLZ
— Sara A. Carter (@SaraCarterDC) December 4, 2024
Radio host Jason Rantz echoed, “I’ve been on set with Pete Hegseth for Fox and Friends and at various events for Fox Nation. I’ve been with him in the green room. He’s been on my show a half dozen times. That he’s some problematic drunk is laughable — but there’s nothing funny about these coordinated smears.
I’ve been on set with Pete Hegseth for Fox and Friends and at various events for Fox Nation. I’ve been with him in the green room. He’s been on my show a half dozen times.
— Jason Rantz on KTTH Radio (@jasonrantz) December 4, 2024
That he’s some problematic drunk is laughable — but there’s nothing funny about these coordinated smears. pic.twitter.com/a8oRKwuMvl
“Worked with Pete for years. This is absolute BULLSHIT,” podcaster and radio host Dan Bongino said. Nicole Saphier, a physician who made regular appearances on the Fox News show, wrote, “I have routinely sat on the couch with @PeteHegseth for 8 years. Not once did I suspect he had consumed anything other than an egg sandwich and coffee before going on air.
I have routinely sat on the couch with @PeteHegseth for 8 years. Not once did I suspect he had consumed anything other than an egg sandwich and coffee before going on air. pic.twitter.com/vjDQUpV9il
— Nicole Saphier, MD (@NBSaphierMD) December 4, 2024
I see your 10 “anonymous sources” and raise you a host of people willing to go public with their unequivocal denial that Hegseth is an unprofessional drunk who slurs his way through his job. Not, of course, that the left gives a rip about actual facts.