WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 05: U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to be Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks to reporters after meeting with lawmakers on Capitol Hill on December 5, 2024 in Washington, DC. Hegseth continues to meet with Senate Republicans on Capitol Hill as new allegations of alcohol abuse have emerged. (Photo by Samuel Corum/Getty Images)
Samantha Hegseth, secretary of defense nominee Pete Hegseth’s ex-wife, will take center stage this month as abuse allegations against her ex-husband are probed by the U.S. Senate.
The former couple married in 2010 and have three children. Samantha filed for divorce in 2017 after Pete had a child with Jennifer Rauchet, a Fox News producer. Hegseth and Rauchet married in 2019 at Trump’s New Jersey golf course.
Last month, it was reported that Pete settled a sexual assault case stemming from an October 2017 incident at a GOP women’s conference in California. The charges have ignited a firestorm of opposition to his nomination.
Samantha grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She pursued her bachelor’s degree in political science at the University of Minnesota and developed a strong interest in political affairs and media.
Hegseth and his ex-wife share three children: Gunner, Boone and Rex.
Samantha was a reporter for several well-known networks, covering many topics, including politics and social issues. She has been involved in initiatives concerning support for military families, advocacy for educational reforms and promotion of women’s empowerment.
Over the years, Samantha was recognized for her media and advocacy contributions.
In November, an email Pete’s mom wrote to her son in 2018 called him an “abuser” of women was published.
“On behalf of all the women (and I know it’s many) you have abused in some way, I say … get some help and take an honest look at yourself,” she wrote. “I have no respect for any man that belittles, lies, cheats, sleeps around and uses women for his own power and ego. You are that man (and have been for years), and as your mother, it pains me and embarrasses me to say that, but it is the sad, sad truth.”
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