Pete Hegseth's Fox News Colleagues Speak Out

A number of prominent Fox News personalities have gone on record denying an NBC News report that Pete Hegseth's former colleagues repeatedly smelled alcohol on him before he went on air, with one labeling the allegation "horses***."

On Tuesday, NBC News claimed "10 current and former Fox employees" had told the network they were concerned about Hegseth's drinking, with two claiming they repeatedly smelled alcohol on him before he went on air.

President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Hegseth, a former National Guard officer and Fox News presenter, to be the next U.S. Secretary of Defense. The move has proved controversial, with some critics arguing Hegseth lacks the experience, while a police report revealed a woman accused him of sexual assault in 2017, which he strongly denies. Speaking to Newsweek on Tuesday, a Trump-Vance transition spokesperson insisted the president-elect is standing behind his choice.

Before being nominated by Trump, Hegseth was a weekend host of Fox & Friends, a popular Fox News show, for several years. Following the NBC News report, several Fox News presenters took to X, formerly Twitter, to deny they had ever detected alcohol on their former colleague when he was on air.

Pete Hegseth on Capitol Hill on December 2, 2024, in Washington, D.C. A number of Hegseth's former Fox News colleagues have come to his defense, denying they ever saw him drinking on the job following... Samuel Corum/GETTY

Will Cain, a Fox & Friends cohost, responded to an X post about the NBC News allegations by writing: "Bulls***. 100 percent bulls***. Actually...horses***."

Another Fox & Friend cohost, Rachel Campos-Duffy, shared Cain's post, adding: "The losers at NBC News never reached out to me either. Will Cain is right – your story IS horses***. You now have 2 people who sat next to him 8+ hours a week on the record. Will you retract or correct your story?"

She later added: "Worth repeating, NBC News used 'anonymous' sources & unconfirmed stories to smear Pete Hegseth as a drunk on the job & never once asked his FOX & Friends coworkers who sit right next to him???"

Responding to Cain, Fox News contributor Guy Benson, who is also political editor of conservative leaning publication Townhall.com, added: "I've co-hosted with Pete and have never experienced anything like what was claimed in this anonymously-sourced report."

Separately, Nicole Saphier, who regularly appears as a guest or host on Fox News shows including Fox & Friends, wrote: "I have routinely sat on the couch with Pete Hegseth for 8 years. Not once did I suspect he had consumed anything other than an egg sandwich and coffee before going on air."

Responding to the NBC News article Fox News personality Lisa Boothe commented: "I've guest co-hosted with him [Hegseth] numerous times before. Not once did this happen. Not once have I heard this from others. This is such a disgusting and false smear. It is wrong and malicious."

Joey Jones, another Fox News contributor and author, wrote: "I don't drink. I'm disgusted by the smell of alcohol on someone's breath. I've never EVER seen Pete drink like that, and have never smelled alcohol on his breath at work. These hit pieces are getting laughable."

British commentator Piers Morgan, another regular Fox News guest, also spoke out in defense of Hegseth.

Responding to an X post about the NBC News story he said: "This relentless onslaught against Pete Hegseth is getting pathetic. Done Fox and Friends many time with him and never known Pete to be anything but utterly professional on camera and a nice, respectful guy off it."

Newsweek contacted Fox News, NBC News and Donald Trump's presidential transition team for comment on Wednesday via email outside of regular office hours. Pete Hegseth was also contacted by social media direct message.

On Tuesday, The Wall Street Journal, citing "people familiar with the discussions," said Trump was considering replacing Hegseth as his defense secretary nominee with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.