A post on X claims to show Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth in his underwear at the 9/11 Memorial in New York City.

Trump’s pick for Secretary of Defense.

Visiting the 9/11 Memorial in his underwear.

The Pentagon has nothing to worry about. Our armed forces have longed to be led by a drunk, rapist in his underwear. pic.twitter.com/HKkp3A7lAq

— Denise Wheeler 🌊💙 (@denisedwheeler) December 5, 2024

Verdict: Misleading

Hegseth was wearing a bathing suit because he was just on a swim to honor veterans.

Fact Check:

Since being nominated by President-Elect Donald Trump to serve as his Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth has faced intense opposition. The current Fox News host and former Army officer has recently been linked to sexual assault allegations as well as “excessive drinking” while working for a non-profit. Trump, however has stood firm by his side and continues to support Hegseth.

A post with over 2 million views on X claims that Hegseth visited the 9/11 Memorial in New York City in his underwear. The attached picture shows Hegseth shirtless and carrying the American flag, while the poster adds “Our armed forces have longed to be led by a drunk, rapist in his underwear.”

This is misleading, however. Hegseth is seen wearing a bathing suit, as he had just finished a swim in the nearby Hudson River where he and Navy Seals swam as a way to honor veterans. (RELATED: Did the Pentagon Allocate $86 Billion Dollars For DEI Initiatives?)

 

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A post shared by Pete Hegseth (@petehegseth)

The event, held by the GI Go Fund, was part of a fundraising event to combat homelessness in New York City. “The event concludes in lower Manhattan to honor the victims of 9/11 and all those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country in the wars that followed,” the organization’s 2022 event page reads in part.

Despite the allegations, Hegseth has not been convicted in court of committing sexual assault or for any alcohol related violations. This story was first reported by Snopes.