Peter Brian Hegseth is an American television host, author, and Army National Guard officer who is reportedly the top candidate to be nominated as United States Secretary of Defense in Donald Trump’s second cabinet. Hegseth is a political commentator for Fox News and was formerly the executive director of Vets for Freedom and Concerned Veterans for America. Hegseth has been involved in conservative and Republican politics since his undergraduate years at Princeton University. In 2016, he became a vocal supporter and ally of Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, advising Trump on various matters throughout his presidency.
Pete Hegseth Biography 2024
He is said to have played a key role in persuading Trump to pardon three American soldiers accused or convicted of war crimes related to the shooting of non-combatants in Iraq. During his military service, Hegseth was a platoon leader at Guantanamo Bay, where he defended the treatment of detainees. Hegseth was considered a potential candidate to head the United States Department of Veterans Affairs in the first Trump administration, though the position was ultimately filled by David Shulkin in 2017. In November 2024, President-elect Trump announced plans to nominate Hegseth for Secretary of Defense.
Pete Hegseth Biography Details
| Born | Peter Brian Hegseth Forest Lake, Minnesota, U.S. |
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| Political party | Republican |
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| Spouses | |
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| Children | 7 |
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| Education | Princeton University (BA)
Harvard University (MPP) |
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Pete Hegseth Early Life
Hegseth was born in Forest Lake, Minnesota, and graduated from Forest Lake Area High School. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Princeton University in 2003. In 2013, he completed a Master of Public Policy at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. At Princeton, Hegseth was the publisher of The Princeton Tory, a conservative student-run publication, and also played on the university’s men’s basketball team.
Pete Hegseth Bio
Aspect | Data |
Birth | Born in Forest Lake, Minnesota, U.S. |
High School | Forest Lake Area High School |
Undergraduate | Bachelor of Arts, Princeton University (2003) |
Graduate | Master of Public Policy, Harvard University (2013) |
College Activity | Publisher of The Princeton Tory, member of the Princeton Tigers men’s basketball team. |
Military Career
Aspect | Details |
Branch of Service | U.S. Army National Guard, Infantry Officer |
Service Years | 2003–present |
Rank | Major |
Deployments | Served in Iraq and Afghanistan |
Awards | Bronze Star (x2), Army Commendation Medal (x2), Combat Infantryman Badge |
Conservative Activism
Aspect | Facts |
Initial Involvement | Executive Director, Vets for Freedom |
PAC Involvement | Formed MN PAC in 2012, spent funds on personal and campaign activities |
Veteran Advocacy | Concerned Veterans for America, a Koch-funded organization focused on privatizing VA services |
Fox News Career
Aspect | Details |
Joined Fox | 2014 |
Programs | Co-host of Fox & Friends Weekend, frequent guest on Unfiltered with Dan Bongino |
Controversies | Criticized liberal academia, climate change, and U.S. military interventions |
Senate Campaign
Aspect | Year |
Year | 2012 |
Position Sought | Republican nomination for U.S. Senate seat in Minnesota |
Outcome | Withdrew from race before primary |
Controversies
Aspect | Details |
War Crimes Pardon | Advocated for Trump’s pardons of military members convicted of war crimes |
Climate Change Comments | Criticized young voters concerned about climate change in 2019 |
Drummer Incident | Accidentally struck a West Point drummer with an axe during a live TV segment in 2015 |
Books Authored
Aspect | Information |
Title | In the Arena (2016) |
Publisher | Threshold Editions |
Focus | Reflections on U.S. politics and leadership |
Family and Personal Life
Aspect | Details |
First Marriage | Meredith Schwarz (married 2004, divorced 2009) |
Second Marriage | Samantha Deering (married 2010, divorced 2017) |
Third Marriage | Jennifer Rauchet (married 2019) |
Children | Seven children, including from his third marriage with Rauchet |
Secretary of Defense Nomination
Aspect | Details |
Date Announced | November 2024 |
Nominee | Pete Hegseth |
President | Donald Trump |
Military Achievements
Aspect | Points |
Bronze Stars | Awarded two Bronze Stars for service in Iraq and Afghanistan |
Infantry Badge | Expert Infantryman Badge, Combat Infantryman Badge |
Campaign Medals | Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal |
Conservative Media Influence
Aspect | Details |
Media Outlets | Fox News, CNN, MSNBC, and more |
Key Appearances | Regular guest on Unfiltered with Dan Bongino, host of All-American New Year |
Political Influence | Vocal supporter of Donald Trump, frequent critic of liberal media and Democratic politicians |
Fox News Commentary
Aspect | Facts |
Key Topics | U.S. military policy, veterans’ issues, conservative values, and critiques of the left |
Controversial Comments | Criticized Harvard University for “poisoning young minds” with left-wing ideology |
Military Service at Guantanamo Bay
Aspect | Details |
Deployment | Guantanamo Bay, 2004 |
Role | Infantry Platoon Leader |
Awards | Army Commendation Medal for service |
Publications and Writing
Aspect | Information |
Books | American Crusade (2020), Battle for the American Mind (2022) |
Writing Style | Focus on conservatism, American culture, and national security |
Pete Hegseth Net Worth
American television host Pete Hegseth has a net worth of $17 Million.
Pete Hegseth Summary
Pete Hegseth is a significant figure in American conservative circles, known for his military service, political activism, and media presence. His role as a commentator on Fox News has allowed him to build a platform advocating for military personnel and veterans, as well as supporting conservative political causes. Hegseth’s nomination to serve as the United States Secretary of Defense reflects his growing influence in shaping military and defense policy. However, his career has also been marked by controversies, particularly in his advocacy for the pardoning of military members accused of war crimes and his public criticisms of liberal institutions. Despite this, his influence within conservative politics remains strong, as demonstrated by his continuing support for President Donald Trump’s policies.
