Fox News colleagues disavow NBC hit piece against Pete Hegseth

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NBC News published a hit piece Tuesday afternoon against Fox News co-host Pete Hegseth, who Trump nominated to serve as Secretary of Defense.

Now a large number of Hegseth’s colleagues at Fox News are coming forward and declaring the NBC report is a nothing more than a bogus smear campaign.

NBC News wrote: Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for defense secretary, drank in ways that concerned his colleagues at Fox News, according to 10 current and former Fox employees who spoke with NBC News.

Two of those people said that on more than a dozen occasions during Hegseth’s time as a co-host of “Fox & Friends Weekend,” which began in 2017, they smelled alcohol on him before he went on air. Those same two people, plus another, said that during his time there he appeared on television after they’d heard him talk about being hungover as he was getting ready or on set.

One of the sources said they smelled alcohol on him as recently as last month and heard him complain about being hungover this fall.

None of the sources with whom NBC News has spoken could recall an instance when Hegseth missed a scheduled appearance because he’d been drinking.

The NBC article is being blasted by many current and former Fox News colleagues and guests.

Former Fox News contributor Dan Bongino responded to the NBC report, saying, “Worked with Pete for years. This is absolute BULLSHIT.”

Joey Jones declared, “I don’t drink. I’m disgusted by the smell of alcohol on someone’s breath. I’ve never EVER seen Pete drink like that, and have never smelled alcohol on his breath at work. These hit pieces are getting laughable.”

Dr. Nicole Saphier wrote, “I have routinely sat on the couch with @PeteHegseth for 8 years. Not once did I suspect he had consumed anything other than an egg sandwich and coffee before going on air.”

Piers Morgan wrote, “This relentless onslaught against @PeteHegseth is getting pathetic. Done @foxandfriends many times with him and never known Pete be anything but utterly professional on camera and a nice, respectful guy off it.”

From Rob Smith: “Generally when Pete Hegseth was helping book me on Fox segments, counseling me on career moves, or making crucial introductions for me in the political and media world, I didn’t smell alcohol on him. You truly do not hate the media enough.”

Lisa Boothe wrote, “I’ve guest co-hosted with him numerous times before. Not once did this happen. Not once have I heard this from others. This is such a disgusting and false smear. It is wrong and malicious.”

Will Cain: “Bullshit. 100 percent bullshit. Actually…horseshit. Your story is horseshit @NBCNews. Put my name on it. On the record. It’ll be your only on the record source.

“Signed, The guy who sat next to him for 8 hours every week for five years starting at 6am.”

Rachel Campos-Duffy added, “The losers at @NBCNews never reached out to me either. @willcain is right – your story IS horseshit. You now have 2 people who sat next to him 8+ hours a week on the record. Will you retract or correct your story?”

Jon Nicosia wrote, “I have covered the media for 15 years. If @PeteHegseth was as drunk on set, etc., as people are saying, it would’ve been gossip everywhere. I was Managing Editor at @Mediaite when the Roger Ailes stuff went down. That place (Fox) talks/leaks a LOT. Until tonight. Not a word or post on the current media gossip sites about the smell of booze, nothing. The media business is brutal. Getting rid of him if he was drinking opens up another prime spot for the next star in line to take a seat on the couch. It’s just that simple. Someone would’ve leaked it far sooner. This is a hit piece and garbage, nothing more.”

Sara Carter wrote, “I have known @PeteHegseth since we were both at The Blaze way back when and as a contributor for Fox since 2017, I have never once seen this type of reported lies or behavior. He’s always been a gentleman and great guy!”

Lara Logan wrote, “I’m with Sara Carter – in the time I worked with Pete he was never anything but professional towards me. This hit piece is just that – a hit piece.”

From Tomi Lahren: “Add me also. Pete has always been the epitome of a class act and a great guy. These attacks are shameful BS.”

Janice Dean wrote, “I’ve worked with @PeteHegseth since the beginning. Never witnessed any of this behavior from him. Always kind, professional and hard working. A good man that loves his family and his country.”

Mollie Hemingway: “I can’t stand the propaganda practice of using anonymous sources to smear political opponents, as NBC does here. FWIW, I have nothing but good things to say about Pete and the anonymously sourced stories don’t match my personal experience in any way. Quite the contrary, in fact.”

Graham Allen: “I’ve known @PeteHegseth for MANY years! A true Patriot and Professional! Even more so a GREAT FRIEND!! THESE ALLEGATIONS ARE TOTAL LIES!! I STAND WITH PETE FOR SECDEF!!”

Charlie Kirk: “Pete has always been an absolute pro, totally respectful, humble, and kind. Every single time he’s interviewed me, even at 6am ET on a Saturday or Sunday morning, he’s been sharp and totally prepared. This includes 5-6 years of being on F+F with Pete. This story is garbage.”

Corey DeAngelis wrote, “I’ve been interviewed by @PeteHegseth and have chatted with him before/after segments. He never smelled or acted like he was under the influence.”

Breanna Morello wrote, “As a former Fox producer, I’ve never heard this in my life. Everyone spoke highly of him and still does til this day. I noticed the employees are anonymous.”

Morello added: “Running a hit piece on a man that’s solely based on anonymous sources is cowardly and isn’t journalism. I’m willing to go on the record regarding Pete Hegseth. As a former Fox booking producer, I’ve never heard a negative remark about Hegseth–until now. This is the letter I am sending EVERY Senator.”

Kyle Becker: “I saw @PeteHegseth numerous times while working at Fox News. Never got the impression he was ever drunk. No bloodshot eyes. No slurred speech. No disheveled appearance. No wobbly gait. Nothing. I’m also calling bullshit.”

William Case wrote:

I worked with Pete Hegseth @PeteHegseth for YEARS –on set, in the control room, in the newsroom, in taxis, on boats, on location. This is all LOLOL. The F&F staff all LOVED Pete, and women of every rank thought he was just the greatest thing (oh the stories). Also:

1. I know the NBC producers anonymously quoted here and they’re 100% cowards. They’re also loaded with medications and likely functioning alcohols themselves.

2. I have photos of F&F weekend staff coming into work hungover, on the floor, by their desks. They were too drunk to notice Pete most days.

3. I don’t let problematic alcoholics hold my children 👇

Daniel Di Martino wrote, “Oh come on. I’ve seen and talked with Pete many times on the Fox and Friends weekend set, very early mornings. He’s also interviewed me. Never a single hint of alcohol.”

Charles Gasparino: “So @NBCNews quoted someone anonymously saying @PeteHegseth complained about being hungover. Really? Even if true (and I’m not saying it is because the whole story seems absurd) is being hungover a huge disqualifying factor for a cabinet position?”

Brian Brenberg: “I’ve been on air with Pete as early and late as you can be, and all hours in between. More times than I can count. Never have I observed what’s being peddled in the media right now.”

More from Will Cain: “Listen to this THIS. @NBCNews spoke to @dgbellavia for 20 minutes about @PeteHegseth. David founded Vets for Freedom. He hired Pete. David told them their story was nonsense. NBC used not word from David. Oh yeah, David was also awarded the Medal of Honor.”

“If you had to be a perfect person to serve in a position of power, there would be no one to serve in positions of power. The only question that matters is whether Pete Hegseth is qualified to be defense secretary. The answer is yes,” wrote Lisa Boothe.

Dan Bongino wrote, “Hegseth IS the fight. We lose Pete and the swamp has already won. Let your invaluable voice be heard.”

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