Video of Pete Hegseth discussing his alcohol preferences takes off online after Trump weighed in on his ‘drinking problem’

A video has surfaced of Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, discussing his drinking preferences when it comes to alcohol.

Hegseth is under increasing scrutiny as allegations about his drinking continue to surface.

In the 2020 clip from Friday Night Live with Pete Hegseth, he candidly discusses his choices and reveals his shift from beer to gin due to age and health concerns.

‘I’m a gin man. Gin and soda,” he shared, humorously noting his attempts to moderate his consumption while balancing his early morning commitments at Fox News.

The video, shared by several accounts on X, has been viewed nearly a million times.

‘My favorite beer? I currently have a case of Corona Light in the basement, but that’s for obvious reasons. Now I normally drink Coors Light. I’ve given up beer, it’s a sign you’re getting old when beer just doesn’t work with your digestion the way you want it to, and it doesn’t. That’s why I drink less beer these days. Gin is my favorite poison,’ said Hegseth.’

“But now that I’m getting older I have to get up early for Fox and Friends, I put in so much soda and so much gin, so I don’t really drink that much.” Even though I may have a lot of glasses.’

His attorney, Tim Parlatore, emphasized, “There was never any drinking on the job at Fox News. “Several people have come forward using their names to refute these false, anonymous claims.”

Although Hegseth has defended himself against accusations of excessive drinking, critics have questioned his suitability for the role.

Hegseth, a veteran and former Fox News commentator, has been accused of excessive drinking, including during his tenure at the network.

He addressed the claims during an interview on The Megyn Kelly Show, describing the allegations as “defamatory” based on anonymous sources.

“First of all, I’ve never had a drinking problem,” Hegseth said. “No one has ever approached me and said, ‘You really need to look into getting help for drinking.'”

He added that while some veterans may use alcohol to cope with the “demons” of war, he has not sought help or struggled with addiction.

‘[I’ve] Never, ever sought advice, never sought help, but I respect and appreciate people who do. But you know, what do guys often do when they come back from the war? Have a few beers. How do you deal with the demons you see on the battlefield? Sometimes it’s with a bottle.’

In an attempt to dispel doubts about his suitability, Hegseth has pledged to abstain completely from alcohol if confirmed, likening the role to a military deployment.

“This is the biggest commitment of my life, and there will not be a drop of alcohol on my lips while I do this,” he vowed.

Despite the controversy, Trump has remained steadfast in his support for Hegseth, describing him as a “very smart guy” with a “great track record.”

“How concerned are you that the person you picked for this top job at the Department of Defense, at least according to those who have worked with him, has a problem with drinking?” Trump was asked by NBC.

When pressed about the allegations, Trump said he had spoken to people close to Hegseth who denied he had drinking problems.

However, concerns remain among lawmakers, some of whom have expressed reservations about his appointment.

“People were a little concerned,” Trump said. “He’s actually a young guy with a great record: He went to Princeton and went to Harvard. He was a good student in both fields, but he loves the military, and I think people are starting to see it, so we’re going to work with a lot of others on his nomination.”

Still, growing doubts about his eligibility have fueled speculation about possible replacements, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is considered a safer choice and will likely face fewer hurdles in securing confirmation from the Senate. Senate.

In addition to the allegations about Hegseth’s drinking, a seven-year-old sexual abuse allegation has also surfaced, although no charges have been filed, and Hegseth claims the encounter was consensual.

In an op-ed in The Wall Street Journal, Hegseth laid out a strong defense of his record, including his time spent with two veterans advocacy groups, Concerned Veterans for America and Veterans For Freedom.

In new accusations this week, The New Yorker cited what it described as a whistleblower report and other documents about his time leading CVA, alleging multiple incidents of alcohol intoxication at work events, inappropriate behavior around female staffers and financial mismanagement.

Hegseth acknowledged in the op-ed that he spent too much money in support of then-candidate John McCain during the 2008 campaign, leaving Veterans For Freedom in debt. But he said he would stay until all the bills were paid. And he said his split from CVA was due to a “difference of opinion” over the future of the group.

Republican Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa, a military veteran and sexual assault survivor, received no endorsement after her meeting with Hegseth. She said she appreciates his military service and that they “had a frank and thorough conversation.”

In other parts of the taped interview with Megyn Kelly, Hegseth said Trump told him he wanted a “war fighter” who would clean up the “woke nonsense.”

Referring to his Capitol Hill meeting, Hegseth said, “No one has looked me in the eye and said, ‘I’m worried.’ He added: “We are not taking a step back.”

Hegseth paid a woman who accused him of sexual assault at a California hotel in 2017 after Hegseth gave a speech at a Republican event. His lawyer said the payment was intended to avert the threat of a baseless lawsuit.

When asked by Kelly if he sexually assaulted the woman, Hegseth replied “absolutely not.” Calling it a “really unfortunate situation,” he said he paid her because he “had to,” claiming her lawyers said they would “release him.”

He declined to reveal the amount paid, but said it was done to protect his wife, himself and his job.

He said it’s a “fair characterization” to call him a serial cheater, who cheated on all three of his wives. “Was I a perfect man, absolutely not,” he said.