In a surprising turn of events, Megyn Kelly defends Pete Hegseth amidst assault allegations while questioning the accuser’s credibility.
The Daily Mail reported that in October 2017, an allegation of sexual assault was levied against Pete Hegseth, a veteran and former Fox News contributor, potentially clouding his recent nomination for Defense Secretary by President Donald Trump.
The claims, emerging just as Hegseth is vying for a critical role in the U.S. Defense Department, present a serious challenge to his confirmation process.
At the heart of the controversy is an incident reported during a business trip in Monterey, California, where Hegseth was attending a conference. The alleged victim reported waking up disoriented in Hegseth's hotel room, with fragmented memories of the evening.
The police were involved, and their report details that the woman felt the effects of a possible drugging. Despite her claims and reported injuries, no charges were filed, as police discovered that it was Hegseth who was victimized by the woman.
Additional evidence considered in the investigation included surveillance footage and eyewitness testimonies from the night in question.
These accounts depicted the woman as coherent and not visibly impaired, contradicting her statements of incapacitation due to being drugged. Furthermore, interactions noted in the police report suggest the accuser might have been flirting with Hegseth, which his defense argues points to consensual conduct.
Megyn Kelly, once Hegseth’s colleague at Fox News, weighed in on the allegations during an episode of the Charlie Kirk Show.
With a critical eye, she reviewed the police report and the circumstances surrounding the alleged incident. According to Kelly, there appears to be a discrepancy between the woman's account and other evidence.
Kelly did not mince words, expressing skepticism about the accuser's reliability and highlighting inconsistencies in her story. "And this woman's story smells terrible," Kelly stated, suggesting that the interactions might not have been entirely one-sided as claimed.
She pointed out behaviors captured on camera, like the woman touching Hegseth's leg, as indicators of a potentially different narrative than what was alleged.
While critiquing Hegseth's track record with marital fidelity—acknowledging it as less than exemplary—Kelly strongly differentiated personal marital struggles from criminal conduct. She argued that challenges in personal relationships, especially for combat veterans like Hegseth, do not equate to being capable of assault.
Timothy Parlatore, Hegseth's attorney, has been vociferous in defending his client, describing the situation as a 'successful extortion' attempt, and dismissing the allegations as wholly unfounded. This claim paints a complex picture of the motivations behind the accusation and the subsequent financial settlement.
As the debate intensifies, those following the nomination are left to consider the gravity of the allegations against Hegseth, juxtaposed with his professional qualifications for the role of Defense Secretary.
The confirmation process is expected to scrutinize not just Hegseth's capability and experience but also his character and integrity in light of these accusations.
Whether Hegseth's professional journey is stalled by these allegations or not will unfold as the confirmation hearings progress.