A rift in conservative media circles has surfaced, with Newsmax anchor Greg Kelly publicly opposing Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth. Kelly’s remarks on “American Agenda” Thursday reignited scrutiny of Hegseth, a Fox News contributor and Iraq War veteran whose confirmation is shadowed by allegations of misconduct.
“I think he is the wrong man for the Pentagon. I think he should not be the Defense Secretary,” Kelly stated bluntly, adding, “At one point I supported Pete Hegseth… but it got a lot more intense last weekend.”
“I’ve known Pete, I actually first met Pete, I think maybe in 2007, 2008, when I was on the Fox News channel. He would come and promote the forever war,” Kelly said. “He would come as an Iraq war veteran and say what a great thing the Iraq war was and how we were there for all the right reasons and yes, no weapons of mass destruction, but this war is going great. I disagreed with him. I disagreed with him strongly. I still disagree with him.”
Hegseth, a former Fox News contributor and Iraq War veteran, has faced allegations of sexual assault and excessive drinking, claims that have complicated his confirmation process. “Pete Hegseth signed a non-disclosure agreement and paid money to a woman who accuses him of sexual assault,” Kelly continued.
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“I was once accused of sexual assault, falsely. I would never in a billion years pay that person a dime.” Kelly further criticized Hegseth’s adherence to military values, particularly in relation to adultery, a violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. “Pete, it’s well known, has violated that,” Kelly asserted, emphasizing the potential impact on morale and discipline within the military.
Despite his criticism, Kelly acknowledged his loyalty to the broader MAGA movement, though he rejected the notion of blind support for any nominee. “MAGA, I hope, is a big umbrella organization… but if MAGA is, ‘you support this nominee or else’… that’s not MAGA,” Kelly said.
Kelly’s remarks drew fierce backlash from MAGA supporters, many accusing him of betrayal. Prominent conservative voices on X have unleashed a torrent of criticism, with some calling for a boycott of Kelly’s show and others questioning his loyalty.
“2023 Greg Kelly – I love you President Trump. 2024 Greg Kelly – FU President Trump. I’m going to stick my fat mouth where it doesn’t belong and criticize Pete Hegseth,” wrote one user. “Why don’t you just STFU. And you’ve lost a viewer.”
Another user labeled Kelly a “RINO infiltrator,” tweeting, “BOYCOTT Greg Kelly. He should be fired immediately. His ratings are the lowest of all Newsmax shows.”
“Major DISAPPOINTMENT as Greg Kelly appears on American Agenda ranting why HE won’t support Pete Hegseth. BREAKING: Nobody cares about your opinion of who should be Defense Secretary. You’ve reduced yourself equal to Hollywood scum,” another wrote.
Meanwhile, Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance have doubled down on their support for Hegseth, describing the allegations as politically motivated attempts to derail his confirmation. The former president referred to Hegseth as a “true patriot,” though the nomination now faces an uphill battle in the Senate.
