Here’s How Much Pete Hegseth Paid His Rape Accuser

Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call via AP Images.

President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Pentagon, Pete Hegseth, confirmed that he paid $50,000 to a woman who accused him of sexual assault back in 2017.

According to the Associated Press, Hegseth told Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) during his Senate confirmation process that he made the $50,000 payment to his unnamed accuser. The revelation comes the same day that Senate Republicans advanced Hegseth’s nomination.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) are so far the only two Republicans to signal opposition to Hegseth following the sexual assault allegation.

In 2017, a woman told police Hegseth assaulted her in a California hotel room after he blocked the door and took her phone. Following an investigation, the police recommended the case to the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office for review.

However, prosecutors declined to file charges against the former Fox News host in January 2018 because they could not prove “beyond a reasonable doubt” that Hegseth was guilty.

Hegseth has denied any allegations of wrongdoing and told police at the time that his contact with the unnamed woman was consensual. During his Senate vetting process, he told lawmakers that he was “falsely accused” and completely innocent.

Recently, Hegseth’s former sister-in-law claimed in an affidavit to Senators on Capitol Hill that the defense nominee made his ex-wife fear for her safety. Hegseth’s second-wife said she was not a victim of domestic abuse.