Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News host, will become the next Secretary of Defense after the Senate narrowly confirmed President Donald Trump’s nominee in a contentious 51-50 vote.

Despite facing allegations of alcohol abuse, sexual misconduct, and financial mismanagement during his leadership of previous organizations—allegations he denies—Hegseth secured the position, with Vice President JD Vance casting the tie-breaking vote.

Divided Senate Vote Highlights Party Lines

The confirmation vote reflected sharp partisan divisions, with three Republican senators—Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, and Susan Collins of Maine—joining Democrats in opposing the nomination.

McConnell, a former Republican Senate leader and frequent critic of Trump, raised concerns about Hegseth’s qualifications for leading the Pentagon. “Managing nearly 3 million personnel, a $1 trillion budget, and global alliances is a monumental responsibility,” McConnell said in a statement.

“Mr. Hegseth has yet to demonstrate he is prepared for this challenge.” Murkowski and Collins also criticized Hegseth’s past behavior, including admissions of marital infidelity and his earlier opposition to women serving in combat roles, which they argued reflected poor judgment.

Controversial Past and Allegations

Hegseth, 44, is a veteran of the Army National Guard who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. However, his nomination faced early challenges due to allegations of emotional abuse and other misconduct.

Most recently, his former sister-in-law accused him of being emotionally abusive toward his ex-wife, a claim Hegseth has dismissed as baseless. In a letter to Republican Senator Thom Tillis, Hegseth detailed his rebuttal of the allegations, describing them as “anonymous smears” intended to derail his nomination.

Despite the controversies, key Republican senators ultimately dismissed the concerns, ensuring his confirmation.

Challenges Ahead for Hegseth

Hegseth assumes control of the Pentagon’s vast bureaucracy and its $840 billion budget with limited high-level management experience. During his confirmation hearing, he outlined priorities including reviving the U.S. defense industrial base, streamlining acquisition processes to benefit startups, and rapidly adopting emerging technologies. 

Positioning himself as a “change agent,” Hegseth emphasized his intention to surround himself with highly capable advisors, including Stephen Feinberg, a billionaire financier and Trump’s nominee for Deputy Secretary of Defense.

A key challenge will be navigating Trump’s foreign policy priorities, including reducing U.S. involvement in ongoing wars and urging allies in Europe and Asia to increase their defense spending. Hegseth will also oversee decisions on U.S. military aid to Ukraine as Trump pushes for a swift resolution to the conflict with Russia.

Partnership with Elon Musk and Military Innovation

Hegseth will need to manage the Pentagon’s growing reliance on billionaire Elon Musk’s SpaceX, which has secured billions in defense contracts. Simultaneously, he must align with Trump’s broader efforts to cut costs across federal agencies under the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).