In a dramatic twist, Newsmax, following orders from the top, directed its staff to drop Pete Hegseth, the Fox News host President-elect Donald Trump tapped for the Secretary of Defense role. This move came on the heels of a controversial segment by Greg Kelly, the 9 p.m. anchor at Newsmax, who sharply criticized Hegseth last week. Kelly labeled Hegseth as susceptible to leverage due to his contentious past and claimed he hadn't sufficiently championed the MAGA cause to deserve such a pivotal position within the Pentagon.
Shortly after Kelly's critique aired, Trump's camp reached out to Chris Ruddy, CEO of Newsmax, voicing the president-elect's dissatisfaction with Kelly's commentary. Despite denials from Newsmax about Trump directly contacting Ruddy regarding this issue, insiders confirmed that Trump communicated his displeasure clearly. This led to considerable unease within Newsmax's ranks.
Responding swiftly to Trump's outrage, Elliot Jacobson, Newsmax COO, gathered staff at their New York office and emphatically directed them to adopt a more favorable stance towards Hegseth during broadcasts. He emphasized that any negative remarks should quickly shift focus and reminded everyone that failure to comply could lead to dismissal.
Despite these stern instructions, Greg Kelly subtly continued his critique of Hegseth later that week. The initial uproar caused by Kelly’s comments became visibly evident within Newsmax’s office space where posters provocatively questioned whether Hegseth was fit for the Secretary of Defense role.
Kelly had pointed out several controversies surrounding Hegseth during his monologue - from admissions of infidelity to unproven accusations of heavy drinking and a sexual assault allegation from 2017 which never led to charges but ended in a settlement with the accuser.
These allegations have significantly clouded Hegseth’s nomination prospects. However, it seems Trump remains unwavering in his support for Hegseth, endorsing him publicly and green-lighting a media defense campaign against these claims.
Shortly after Kelly's critique aired, Trump's camp reached out to Chris Ruddy, CEO of Newsmax, voicing the president-elect's dissatisfaction with Kelly's commentary. Despite denials from Newsmax about Trump directly contacting Ruddy regarding this issue, insiders confirmed that Trump communicated his displeasure clearly. This led to considerable unease within Newsmax's ranks.
Responding swiftly to Trump's outrage, Elliot Jacobson, Newsmax COO, gathered staff at their New York office and emphatically directed them to adopt a more favorable stance towards Hegseth during broadcasts. He emphasized that any negative remarks should quickly shift focus and reminded everyone that failure to comply could lead to dismissal.
Despite these stern instructions, Greg Kelly subtly continued his critique of Hegseth later that week. The initial uproar caused by Kelly’s comments became visibly evident within Newsmax’s office space where posters provocatively questioned whether Hegseth was fit for the Secretary of Defense role.
Kelly had pointed out several controversies surrounding Hegseth during his monologue - from admissions of infidelity to unproven accusations of heavy drinking and a sexual assault allegation from 2017 which never led to charges but ended in a settlement with the accuser.
These allegations have significantly clouded Hegseth’s nomination prospects. However, it seems Trump remains unwavering in his support for Hegseth, endorsing him publicly and green-lighting a media defense campaign against these claims.
