Ah, NBC News strikes again with the classic hit piece formula: dig up a few “anonymous sources,” sprinkle in some sensational claims, and publish without hesitation.
This time, their target is Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump’s Secretary of Defense pick. The accusations? Allegedly being drunk on air during his time at Fox News. The problem? Their so-called journalism is already unraveling faster than a cheap sweater. Let’s start with the obvious: anonymous sources are the backbone of every dubious smear campaign.
According to NBC, Hegseth’s colleagues at Fox News “smelled alcohol” on him “more than a dozen times” and heard him mention being hungover. Intriguing allegations, sure. But when you dig into the details—or lack thereof—it’s clear this is more about optics than facts. For one, how exactly does one smell “alcohol” through the layers of studio lights, makeup, and coffee? If we’re relying on that level of forensics, NBC should stick to covering celebrity perfume launches.
What makes this particularly galling is the chorus of on-the-record denials from people who actually worked alongside Hegseth. Fox News’ Will Cain didn’t just defend Hegseth; he obliterated the report, calling it “horsesh*t” and inviting NBC to name a single credible source with evidence. Then there’s Rachel Campos-Duffy, Lisa Boothe, Dan Bongino, and even former producers like Breanna Morello—all of whom outright dismissed the claims as baseless. These are people who logged real hours with Hegseth, not shadowy figures making offhand remarks from the safety of anonymity.
But the pièce de résistance came from Clay Travis, who pointed out a glaring issue with NBC’s narrative: early morning TV is brutal. Anyone who has ever hosted a morning show knows it’s a grind. If Hegseth were struggling with alcohol issues, it would’ve been impossible to maintain such a demanding schedule for years without it becoming glaringly obvious.
I’ll say it again as I’ve said it for years: anonymous quotes where people rip on other people shouldn’t be part of any “journalism.” It’s total bullshit. If you aren’t man or woman enough to put your actual name behind your criticism then it shouldn’t be published. Period.
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) December 4, 2024
And for the record, having done early morning media for years, there’s no way anyone with actual alcohol issues can do early morning TV or radio for years and never miss shows. Of all the media jobs, early morning is BY FAR the least forgiving and most demanding.
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) December 4, 2024
Of course, NBC wasn’t satisfied with one weak hit piece. Enter The New Yorker, which tried to double down with claims of Hegseth being intoxicated while leading Concerned Veterans for America years earlier. But their evidence? A so-called whistleblower report conveniently provided by a “disgruntled former associate.” Hegseth’s lawyer didn’t mince words, calling the story what it was: petty, jealous, and utterly devoid of credibility.
Worked with Pete for years. This is absolute BULLSHIT. https://t.co/qyH0i2Kunk
— Dan Bongino (@dbongino) December 3, 2024
The timing of these attacks is also worth noting. With Hegseth poised to take on a high-profile role, the media’s knives are out, desperate to undercut his credibility. The fact that NBC hasn’t updated its story with the growing list of public defenses speaks volumes about their agenda. If the goal were objective journalism, wouldn’t they at least acknowledge the overwhelming pushback from people with firsthand knowledge of Hegseth’s work ethic and character?
Your story is horseshit @NBCNews. Put my name on it. On the record. It’ll be your only on the record source.
Signed,
The guy who sat next to him for 8 hours every week for five years starting at 6am.— Will Cain (@willcain) December 3, 2024
What we’re seeing here is a microcosm of a larger trend: a media landscape where narrative often trumps truth. Pete Hegseth’s real “crime” isn’t what NBC claims—it’s his unabashed conservative stance, his military background, and his commitment to values that don’t align with the coastal elite’s playbook. These stories aren’t just about him; they’re about sending a message to anyone who dares challenge the establishment.
The losers at @NBCNews never reached out to me either. @willcain is right – your story IS horseshit. You now have 2 people who sat next to him 8+ hours a week on the record. Will you retract or correct your story? https://t.co/s5YJsI23EV
— Rachel Campos-Duffy (@RCamposDuffy) December 4, 2024
So, what’s next? NBC will probably ignore the backlash, hoping the initial smear sticks in the public’s mind. But Hegseth’s defenders have done a remarkable job of fighting fire with fire, proving once again that the truth has a funny way of surfacing—no matter how much mud is thrown on it.
