Peggy Hesgeth wrote a scathing email to her son in 2018, which was just published by The New York Times. Don’t expect her to stand by these words if she’s asked to testify at his confirmation hearing.
There was already a long list of reasons why Hegseth would never be appointed Secretary of Defense accusations by sexual abuseto the likelihood that he would fail an FBI background checkto the fact that he is completely unsuitable for the job, to his own colleagues throw him under the bus about the rape allegations.
And now we have another one to add to the list… his own mother, who accused Hegseth of ‘abusing women for years’.
The mother of Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald J. Trump’s choice as defense secretary, wrote him an email in 2018 saying he had routinely abused women for years and had demonstrated a lack of character.
“On behalf of all the women (and I know there are many) who you have abused in one way or another, I say… get help and take an honest look at yourself,” wrote Penelope Hegseth, stating that she still loved him.
She also wrote: “I have no respect for any man who belittles, lies, cheats, sneaks around and uses women for his own power and ego. You are that man (and have been for years) and as your mother it pains and embarrasses me to say that, but it is the sad, sad truth.
The New York Times contacted Hegseth, and of course she tried to backtrack on what she had written, claiming that “she immediately sent her son a follow-up email at the time apologizing for what she had written.”
I don’t believe that for a minute, and if you read the full text of the emailI don’t think anyone with an ounce of sense would believe that either.
Son,
I have tried to remain silent about your character and behavior, but after listening to how you made Samantha feel today, I cannot remain silent. And as a woman and your mother, I feel like I have to speak out…
You are an abuser of women – that is the ugly truth and I have no respect for any man who belittles, lies, cheats, sneaks around and uses women for his own power and ego. You are that man (and have been for years) and as your mother it pains and embarrasses me to say that, but it is the sad, sad truth.
I’m no saint, far from it.. so don’t throw that in my face. but your abuse over the years towards women (dishonesty, sneaking around, betrayal, humiliation, belittlement) needs to be addressed.
Sam is a good mother and a good person (under the circumstances you have created) and I know deep down that you know that. It’s despicable and insulting to label her as “unstable” for your own benefit. Is there any sense of decency left in you? She didn’t ask for or deserve anything that happened to her at your hand. Neither does Meredith.
I know you’re thinking this is one big competition and we took her side… bunk… we’re on the side of good and that’s not you. (Go ahead and call me smug, I don’t care.)
Don’t you dare run to her and cry foul that we shared… that’s what babies do. It’s time for someone (I wish it was a strong man) to stand up to your abusive behavior and speak out, especially to women
We still love you, but we are heartbroken by your behavior and lack of character. I don’t want to write these types of emails and never thought I would. If it further damages our relationship then so be it, but at least I said my word. (redacted)
And yes, we pray for you (and you don’t deserve to know how we pray, so skip the snarky answer)
I don’t want an answer to this. I don’t want to argue with you. You twist and abuse everything I say anyway. But… on behalf of all the women (and I know there are many) who you have abused in one way or another, I say… get help and take an honest look at yourself…
Mom
She wants Fox on Mother’s Day a year later and fawns over her son, which you can watch in the clip above.
I wonder how much worse it has to get for Hegseth before he backs down.
If his mother is called to testify, I don’t expect her to throw her son under the bus, but just reading what she wrote about him in 2018 is damning enough in itself. I’ll break out the popcorn and watch her twist herself into knots trying to explain it away.