The mother of embattled defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth took to Fox News on Wednesday where she steadfastly refused decades-old allegations of alcoholism and sexual harassment by her son while he oversaw several charitable veterans organizations.<\/p>\n
Penelope Hegseth condemned the media\u2019s use of a letter she sent her son in 2018 accusing him of abusing women and displaying a lack of character. \u201cI want to say something about the media,\u201d she told \u201cFox & Friends\u201d co-hosts. \u201cPart of today is to discredit the media and how they contact you.\u201d Penelope Hegseth went on to accuse the New York Times of \u201cthreatening\u201d her into releasing a statement before it published a story last week about the letter which has since fueled doubt about Pete Hegseth\u2019s ability to remain President-elect Donald Trump\u2019s nominee. \u201cI think that\u2019s a despicable way to treat anyone. Threats are dangerous, and they\u2019re hard on families,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n
Her letter, which she immediately disavowed according to the Times, has been the epicenter of a swirling controversy that involves rape allegations, alcohol-fueled nights with colleagues, and a contentious divorce with the mother of his three children. Penelope Hegseth said her initial missive was sent in anger over the latter, which involved Samantha, Hegseth\u2019s wife who filed for divorce following an extramarital affair. Asked if she had \u201cworked it out\u201d with her son after the letter was sent, Penelope Hegseth was unequivocal. \u201cOh yeah. Pete and I are very close today. In fact our whole family is very tight-knit.\u201d<\/p>\n
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