Trump insiders say Gaetz, Hegseth misled him about scandals

Then-President Donald Trump interviewed by Fox & Friends co-host Pete Hegseth. AP Photo/Andrew Harnik.

president-elect donald trump was misled by cabinet candidates Matt Gaetz and Pete Hegseth about the extent of the misconduct allegations against him, according to several sources who spoke to Mediaite.

One source, granted anonymity to speak candidly about internal deliberations, said the House Ethics Committee report on the allegations against Gaetz was a blow to his chances as Trump’s nominee for direct the Department of Justice, given that its content was much more damning than Gaetz’s. had made the president-elect believe.

“It’s worth considering that no actual ‘crime’ may have occurred (hence the lack of an FBI investigation), but what people have seen in the report is so egregious that it makes a possible appointment during the recess is too disruptive to the incoming administration and has become a “It’s a big reason why those around the president-elect have raised flags to distance themselves from him,” the source said.

“Despite reports of holdout senators, the Gaetz investigation is so salacious that Team Trump had no choice but to distance itself,” they added.

Another source, who worked on the Trump campaign, told Mediaite that when Gaetz was confronted about the sexual misconduct allegations against him, he “denied, denied, denied.”

“Trump took him at his word,” the source said. “They got Gaetz.”

Gaetz withdrew his nomination for attorney general on Thursday. He had resigned from Congress after being nominated by Trump to serve as attorney general, a move that meant the Ethics Committee report on his alleged sexual misconduct and drug use would not be officially released.

Gaetz wasn’t the only Cabinet candidate to allegedly mislead the president-elect. Hegseth, the former Fox News host Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, was questioned about his past in initial conversations with Trump’s team. A source said Hegseth, who has been married three times and has had multiple extramarital affairs, was asked if there were any scandals from his past and even if he had ever signed a confidentiality agreement.

“He told the campaign there are no problems,” the source said. “There are no aggression problems. There is no confidentiality agreement. “Aggravating lies.”

Shortly afterward, Trump’s transition team learned that Hegseth had been accused of rape in October 2017 by a woman with whom he admitted to having consensual sexual relations. He later paid her to sign a confidentiality agreement and remain silent about her claim. Hegseth was never charged with a crime and denied that the sexual relations were non-consensual, both in an interview with police at the time and through his lawyer after the allegation became public this month. The police report on the incident, which was obtained by mediaitareveals graphic details of the alleged sexual assault.

The result is that Hegseth’s nomination to lead the Defense Department is in jeopardy, and sources close to the decision-making say pressure is mounting for Hegseth to leave the post.

“My opinion, coming from the transition, is that they don’t want it,” said a source who worked on the Trump campaign. “I may still have some confidence in the president, but the staff doesn’t like him.”

Still, the constant drumbeat of bad headlines is a problem for Trump. “He is upset by the volumetric revelations,” the source said.

What’s more, if Hegseth remains in the race, the source said Democrats will almost certainly investigate the 2017 sexual assault allegation. Worse, the accuser, now known to the public only as Jane Doe, will likely testify.

“My understanding is that (Doe) will testify if asked,” the source said. “We’re going to fight it.”

Underlying all of this: Every time the media reports on Hegseth and Gaetz’s alleged sexual misconduct, as well as Trump’s pick for Secretary of Education. Linda Mc Mahon and his alleged role in hiding sexual abuse during her tenure as a WWE executive, Trump’s own sexual misconduct is mentioned. Trump’s team increasingly sees this as a liability.

“When the names of Gaetz, Linda McMahon and Hegseth are mentioned, Trump’s own problems are also mentioned. “It’s a brand thing,” the source said.

Gaetz, of course, has already withdrawn from the race. He said Friday that he would not return to Congress, sparking speculation that he might pursue a career in the media. Greg KellyNewsmax host, proposed on air that Gaetz join the pro-Trump network.

The network rejected that idea in a statement: “Newsmax is not planning any lineup changes and has no plans to offer Rep. Gaetz a position at the network.”

Gaetz also said he would not take a job at Newsmax when contacted for comment.

“I’m back to work doing what I was doing last Tuesday: supporting the president trumps (sic) a historic and successful transition,” he told Mediaite.

Regardless of where he lands next, Gaetz will remain in Trump’s orbit, thanks in large part to his brother-in-law. Palmer Luckeyto billionaire tech founder and Trump donor.

“They will find a way to get Gaetz involved,” the source said. “But no one (at least the staff) wants him around Trump. It’s the trust gap. Nobody trusts Gaetz. They will give you something like an embassy. Give him something to make him go away. Send his ass to Germany. What do we care?

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