Pete Hegseth’s ex-Fox News colleagues report extensively on drinking scandals

(Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call via AP Images)

Pete Hegseths Former Fox News colleagues have anonymously reported suspected alcohol-related incidents at work-related parties and events as president-elect Donald Trump’s The candidate for defense secretary is increasingly being scrutinized for his suitability to lead the Pentagon.

In a report published on Wednesday by the New York TimesMultiple sources within the network, where Hegseth worked as a weekend host on Fox & Friends, recounted how her former colleague became concerned about his behavior and initiated human resources intervention.

In a 2016 Fox & friends During the Christmas party, Hegseth reportedly caused a disturbance, which led to an internal investigation by the station’s human resources department. A year later, at a Fox News producer’s wedding, he was so drunk that, according to eyewitnesses, he had a hard time “standing upright in the men’s room.” Friends had to arrange a ride to ensure he got to the studio by morning.

Timothy ParlatoreHegseth’s attorney denied these claims to the newspaper, saying, “None of these allegations are true.”

Fox News declined to comment New York Times Reporting to Mediaite and declined to comment on the allegation of a personnel investigation.

The revelations follow other claims in a whistleblower report, cited by The New Yorkerthat while leading Concerned Veterans for America, a nonprofit supported by conservative donors, Hegseth was often drunk at work-related events.

While Hegseth has dismissed these allegations as “falsehoods from disgruntled former employees,” they contribute to a growing narrative about his erratic behavior.

Hegseth himself admits to drinking alcohol in the past and told the Sirius XM host this Megyn Kelly In an interview on Wednesday, he said he had consumed alcohol to cope with the trauma of his combat service.

“I was no longer in a combat zone but in an apartment in Manhattan,” he said. Nevertheless, he emphasized: “I never had a drinking problem.”

Critics argue that these incidents illustrate a pattern of poor judgment that could undermine his ability to lead the Pentagon. Even some sitting Republican lawmakers, like Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), have called the allegations “very disturbing.”

Trump, known to be teetotal and critical of alcohol consumption, has so far overlooked the allegations and continues to publicly support Hegseth. In the meantime, New York Times journalist Maggie Haberman claims that “most people around Trump” believe Hegseth’s nomination was borrowed time.