Pete Hegseth says he had 'substantial conversation' with Joni Ernst as Trump signals support

President-elect Trump publicly voiced his support for embattled Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth on Friday, and the nominee said he had a “substantial conversation” with Sen. Joni Ernst.

Hegseth, a former National Guard officer, met with Republican senators this week to rally support as allegations of sexual misconduct and excessive drinking surfaced. He has denied any wrongdoing.

Ernst did not commit to voting for Hegseth.

“It looks like Pete is OK now,” Trump told Kristen Welker on “Meet the Press” Friday. “I mean, people were a little worried. He's a young man with a tremendous track record, actually. He went to Princeton, Harvard. He was a good student in both areas, but he loves the “Army. And I think people are a little worried. So we're going to work on his nomination with a lot of others.”

PETE HEGSETH SAYS HE WILL STAND HERE IN THIS FIGHT AFTER MEETING WITH SENATORS

President-elect Trump publicly threw his support behind Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's pick on Friday, and the nominee said he had a “substantial conversation” with Sen. Joni Ernst. (Allison Robbert-Pool/Getty Images; AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Trump confirmed that he still has confidence in Hegseth.

“He’s a very smart guy,” Trump said. “I know him through Fox, but I've known him for a long time. I mean, he's basically a military guy. I mean, every time I talk to him, all he wants to talk about is the military .”

Trump said that although he had not received assurances from senators that his nomination would be confirmed, he believed he would succeed.

“A lot of senators called me and said he was fantastic,” Trump said.

Asked by Welker about the excessive drinking allegations, Trump responded: “Well, I've talked to people who know him very well, and they say he doesn't have a drinking problem. ”

NEW WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY EXPOSES TRUMP’S SUPPORT FOR HEGSETH

Trump also endorsed Hegseth on Truth Social on Friday, writing: “Pete Hegseth is doing very well. His support is strong and deep. He was an excellent student – educated at Princeton/Harvard – with a military mindset. He will be a fantastic, very energetic, Secretary of Defense, one who leads with charisma and competence, Pete is a WINNER, and there is nothing that can be done to change that.

Senator Joni Ernst, Republican of Iowa, speaks to reporters after a closed-door lunch with Senate Republicans at the U.S. Capitol, October 17, 2023, in Washington, DC. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Hegseth wrote on her X account on Friday: “I just had another important conversation with Senator Ernst, I appreciate her sincere commitment to defense policy and look forward to meeting her again next week .”

Ernst also called their meeting “constructive,” adding that the two planned to meet again next week.

“Pete Hegseth and I will continue our constructive conversations as we move forward through this process together. We plan to meet again next week. At a minimum, we agree that he deserves the opportunity to outline his vision for our warfighters at 'a fair hearing,' she said.

Vice President-elect JD Vance also told reporters Friday that Hegseth had the full support of the new administration and would not face a “sham hearing in front of the American media.”

Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for secretary of Defense, walks through the basement of the Capitol on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

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“Pete Hegseth is going to have a hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee, not a fake hearing in front of the American media,” Vance told reporters while in North Carolina. “We believe Pete Hegseth is the right person to lead the Department of Defense. That's why Trump nominated him. We are not giving up on this nomination.

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“I fully support Pete. I think Pete is going to be confirmed, and we are completely behind him. I spoke to Joni [Ernst]. I have spoken to several of my colleagues about this and other appointments. All I'm asking is that people actually allow the Senate nomination process to work. We do not determine important government officials based on anonymous U.S. media sources. »