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The nomination of Pete Hegseth to be President-elect Trump’s secretary of Defense got numerous boosts Wednesday morning: A statement by Vice President-elect J.D. Vance, Pete’s mother, Penelope Hegseth, appeared on Fox and Friends, and expressions of support from from many current and former Fox associates.

Pete Hegseth told a CBS News reporter Wednesday morning he had spoken with Trump and has his continued support. Hegseth also posted a defiant message on X Twitter Wednesday morning.

Tuesday was the most trying day for the Hegseth nomination as an anonymously sourced NBC News hit piece about supposed current and former Fox staffers accusing Hegseth of drinking or being hungover before going on air at Fox was followed by reports Trump was in talks to replace Hegseth as Defense nominee with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

Vance posted, “Pete Hegseth’s mom on Fox and Friends this morning defending her son. She points out that she sent an emotional email, and then apologized two hours later. The media never talks about the apology because they’re trying to destroy him, not tell the truth.”

CBS News video clip of Hegseth talking about his conversation with Trump, “HEGSETH to @NikolenDC “I spoke to the President elect this morning. He said keep going keep fighting. I’m behind you all the way.” Q. So you are in this all the way? “Why would I back down? I’ve always been a fighter. Im here for the fighters. This is personal & passionate…”

Hegseth’s post earlier Wednesday, “I’m doing this for the warfighters, not the warmongers. The Left is afraid of disrupters and change agents. They are afraid of @realDonaldTrump—and me. So they smear w/ fake, anonymous sources & BS stories. They don’t want truth. Our warriors never back down, & neither will I.”

Excerpts from Penelope Hegseth’s interview, “Penelope Hegseth, Pete Hegseth’s mom, tells the public to “disregard the media” because the email she sent was 7 years ago and “most of it is misinformation. The way [the media threatens] you, I think is very hurtful.” “Pete is a new person. He’s redeemed, forgiven, changed…I believe he’s the man for the job.”

“PENELOPE HEGSETH: @PeteHegseth is “the most faithful patriot of this country … he has fought and almost died for his country. He’s a good dad, he’s an amazing son and father — and that’s the Pete I want people to know.””

Complete video of Penelope Hegseth’s interview on Fox:

Former Fox producer Breanna Morello posted a letter to Senators expressing her support for Hegseth, “Running a hit piece on a man that’s solely based on anonymous sources is cowardly and isn’t journalism. I’m willing to go on the record regarding Pete Hegseth. As a former Fox booking producer, I’ve never heard a negative remark about Hegseth–until now. This is the letter I am sending EVERY Senator.”

Fox and Friends Weekend host Rachel Campos Duffy, wife of Trump Transportation secretary nominee Sean Duffy, defended Hegseth late Tuesday night, “The losers at @NBCNews never reached out to me either. @willcain is right – your story IS horseshit. You now have 2 people who sat next to him 8+ hours a week on the record. Will you retract or correct your story?…Worth repeating, @NBCNews used “anonymous” sources & unconfirmed stories to smear @PeteHegseth as a drunk on the job & never once asked his FOX & Friends coworkers who sit right next to him??? Don’t forget, @MSNBC started on day one of his nomination by saying he was a known racist/white supremicist – crazy, I know, but again never asking the Hispanic woman who works with him either. I would know if Pete was racist. This is why Americans hate the media & politics. It’s why they voted for Trump who withstood every smear in the book – including being accused of TREASON. Keep fighting, Pete. America is behind you.”