“It’s Just Allegations”: GOP Senators Defend Trump Nominee Amid Sexual Assault Claims

With Matt Gaetz withdrawing his name from consideration as Attorney General and Pete Hegseth’s Pentagon nomination facing explosive allegations of sexual assault, pro-Trump Republican senators are rallying to defend Trump’s embattled nominees. Some are dismissing the accusations as politically motivated, drawing comparisons to past controversies like the Brett Kavanaugh hearings.

Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-TN) became one of the most vocal defenders on Thursday, reacting strongly when questioned about the sexual assault allegations against Hegseth. “Did you talk to him about the sexual assault allegations?” a reporter asked.

“You missed what I said earlier,” Hagerty responded. “It’s a disgrace that—those allegations are nothing but what you said, allegations, that are he-said, she-said. This is a case that has been dismissed. This is just dredging up something to try to smear and discredit the candidate. It reminds me of what happened to Brett Kavanaugh.”

However, MSNBC’s Ali Vitali pushed back on this defense during her coverage, pointing out the differences between the Kavanaugh hearings and the current situation. “We’re watching Republican senators try to downplay the sexual assault allegations and also try to compare them to that of then-Justice nominee Brett Kavanaugh,” Vitali told viewers.

“I do think it’s important to point out the ways these two instances are different. In the Kavanaugh case, the witness, Christine Blasey Ford, went before the Judiciary Committee. That is definitely not where we are in this process now,” she explained.

Vitali further highlighted details that complicate Hegseth’s nomination. “In the instance of Hegseth, there is the payment, the settlement that he made to this accuser—his lawyer has said that was to protect his career. But also, there is the police report that NBC News was able to obtain overnight, that really goes into much greater detail than previously had been known about this allegation.”

As the Senate continues to vet Hegseth’s nomination, Vitali stressed that significant questions remain. “Certainly there’s a lot of questions that senators might have as they go into these meetings, and certainly that the public should have, as Hegseth’s nomination continues to progress,” she concluded. The controversy underscores growing tensions within Trump’s administration as it faces backlash over its Cabinet choices, raising concerns over accountability and transparency in the vetting process.