Trump backs his defense chief pick amid Republican concerns

HAMILTON, Canada

US President-elect Donald Trump on Friday expressed support for Pete Hegseth, his pick for defense secretary, amid ongoing disputes over various allegations regarding his personal life.

Hegseth, a former Fox News host, has raised concerns among Republican lawmakers over allegations of sexual misconduct, financial mismanagement at veterans' charities, repeated instances of public drunkenness, and infidelity.

"Pete Hegseth is doing very well. His support is strong and deep, much more so than the Fake News would have you believe," Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform.

Trump hailed Hegseth as "a great student - Princeton/Harvard educated - with a Military state of mind."

"He will be a fantastic, high energy, Secretary of Defense, one who leads with charisma and skill. Pete is a WINNER, and there is nothing that can be done to change that," Trump said.

Trump's post is the first-ever public support for Hegseth.

Two days earlier, Hegseth rejected calls for him to withdraw from consideration and he is currently busy meeting with Republican senators, whose votes are crucial for his confirmation.

Meanwhile, Wall Street Journal reported this week that the president-elect raised Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s name during conversations with the guests at his resort in Florida, Mar-a-Lago to replace Hegseth.