‘It Feels Almost Criminal!’ Hegseth’s Mom Blasts NY Times For Reporting Her Email on Son’s Alleged Abuse
Penelope Hegseth blasted the New York Times as “almost criminal” during an appearance on Fox & Friends over the newspaper’s reporting on a scathing email she sent to her son, Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News host nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as secretary of defense.
Fox & Friends host Steve Doocy opened his interview by reading aloud the private email which had been published in full on Friday by the New York Times.
The email was sent in 2018 after Pete Hegseth divorced his second wife, the mother of two of his children. In it, Hegseth delivered a brutal critique of her son’s character.
On behalf of all the women (and I know it’s many) you have abused in some way, I say … get some help and take an honest look at yourself… I have no respect for any man that belittles, lies, cheats, sleeps around and uses women for his own power and ego. You are that man (and have been for years) and as your mother, it pains me and embarrasses me to say that, but it is the sad, sad truth.
Since the president-elect announced Pete Hegseth as his pick to lead the Defense Department, several damaging allegations have surfaced. These include reports of extramarital affairs, an accusation of sexual assault and an ongoing criminal investigation, as well as a damning New Yorker exposé detailing his controversial leadership at two veterans’ organizations.
Yet, in her defense of her son, Hegseth said that email was sent “in haste with emotion as a parent” and revealed to Fox & Friends she’d retracted it two hours after sending it. She then rounded on the New York Times for its reporting, particularly in chasing her for comment.
“I came to take on New York City, to take on the New York Times, to be a mother, a strong mother, a fighter,” Hegseth said.
“What is your message to the New York Times?” Doocy asked.
She replied: “I would say, I don’t think the way you operate is… it feels almost criminal when reporters call you and threaten you. I don’t think a lot of people know that is how they operate. And they are in it for the commission, for the money, and don’t care who they hurt; families, children… And I just don’t believe that that is the right way to do things.”
“Do you think that is the way they try to get the story?” Doocy pressed.
Hegseth replied: “Oh, of course, it is their job. But I can take the opposite view, I can take the high road, I can take the belief in good and good in people. And will we be persecuted and will we suffer in life? Sure, we will. I know in whom I believe, I believe in God, I believe in Pete, I believe in my family, my husband of 48 years.”
As Doocy closed the interview and thanked Hegseth for coming on, she repeated her gratitude to Fox News, her son’s former employer.
Watch above on Fox & Friends.
