Trump’s Defence Secretary nominee reveals financial settlement as he faces scrutiny over past allegations

Pete Hegseth, President Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, disclosed that he paid $50,000 in a confidentiality agreement to a woman who alleged he sexually assaulted her in 2017. The settlement, which included a confidentiality clause, was intended to prevent the woman from tarnishing his career, Hegseth stated during his Senate Armed Services confirmation hearing. He has denied the accusation, describing it as a “nuisance claim” and maintaining that the encounter was consensual.

The payment amount was revealed after Senate questioning by Massachusetts Democrat Sen. Elizabeth Warren. Hegseth, who has never been criminally charged, confirmed the settlement but continued to refute the allegations. His lawyer, Tim Parlatore, reaffirmed their position, calling the claims false and stating that the payment was made to avoid the costly defense of the accusations.

The sexual assault claim, which arose from an alleged incident in Monterey, California, remains one of several controversies surrounding Hegseth. The accuser reported that Hegseth physically blocked her from leaving a hotel room and sexually assaulted her despite her repeated objections. However, Hegseth denied the accusation, asserting the encounter was consensual.

Hegseth is also facing scrutiny over his previous behavior in the workplace, including claims of mismanaging nonprofit funds and allegations of excessive drinking. These issues have raised concerns among some senators, with Republicans Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins voting against his nomination, citing his character and qualifications.

Despite the controversies, Hegseth is expected to secure Senate confirmation after clearing a key procedural hurdle by a narrow 51-49 vote. He is also under fire for past comments about women in combat roles, which he defended during his confirmation hearing by emphasizing the importance of military standards.