Pete Hegseth Paid Accuser As Allegation Meant He'd Likely be Fired—Attorney

Pete Hegseth entered into a settlement with the woman who accused him of sexual assault because he knew the allegation could get him fired from Fox News, his attorney has said.

It came out last week that Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's pick to lead the Department of Defense, was investigated for sexual assault in California seven years ago. No charges were filed and Hegseth has "vigorously denied any and all accusations," Trump spokesman Steven Cheung told Vanity Fair.

It has since been revealed that in 2023, Hegseth entered into a mutual nondisclosure agreement with the accuser, which included him paying her an unknown sum, The Washington Post reported, citing a statement from Hegseth's lawyer Tim Parlatore.