Although the accuser reported her recollection of the incident along with the rape-kit examination results, charges were never filed. Investigators indicated that the woman failed to produce evidence that the sexual encounter was not consensual and that hotel footage seemed to indicate that she initiated the encounter.
Hegseth’s lawyer said that, out of Hegseth’s concern for his television and political career, Hegseth agreed to pay the woman an undisclosed amount after she pursued a lawsuit against him.
For now, the Trump transition team seems to be standing behind Hegseth.
“President Trump is nominating high-caliber and extremely qualified candidates to serve in his Administration,” said spokesman Steven Cheung. “Mr. Hegseth has vigorously denied any and all accusations, and no charges were filed. We look forward to his confirmation as United States Secretary of Defense so he can get started on Day One to Make America Safe and Great Again.”
Allegations of sexual misconduct are becoming an unfortunate theme for Trump’s forthcoming second administration. The president-elect himself has been adjudicated for sexual abuse and accused of sexual misconduct numerous other times across decades. And last week, he nominated Matt Gaetz for attorney general, despite both both a federal investigation and a congressional ethics probe into whether Gaetz sexually abused and trafficked a 17-year-old girl.
The federal investigation into Gaetz did not result in any charges, and the congressional ethics probe essentially ended when Gaetz resigned his congressional seat following his nomination for attorney general.
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House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Southern Baptist, has said he will “strongly request” that the House Ethics Committee not release a report detailing its investigation into Gaetz.
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