Trump SecDef pick Pete Hegseth under fire as bombshell report says he had 5 affairs during first marriage

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Pete Hegseth, former Fox News host and Donald Trump’s pick for Secretary of Defense, has found himself in hot water over his past infidelity.

According to Vanity Fair, Hegseth admitted to his first wife Meredith Schwarz that he cheated on her not once, but five times during their marriage. He reportedly called himself “a f**ked up individual” as their marriage fell apart under the weight of his indiscretions.

From high-school sweethearts to a broken marriage

Pete Hegseth and Meredith Schwarz seemed like the ultimate love story. The two were high-school sweethearts in Minnesota, even voted “most likely to marry” by their graduating class of 1999. They continued dating long-distance through college—Hegseth attended Princeton, while Schwarz went to Barnard.

After tying the knot post-graduation, their fairytale quickly hit a snag. In 2005, Hegseth volunteered for a tour in Iraq, which kept them apart. Even after his return, the physical distance remained as he moved to Washington, DC, to lead the political advocacy group Vets for Freedom, while Schwarz worked at JP Morgan in New York.

Behind the scenes, things weren’t as rosy as they seemed. Sources told Vanity Fair that Hegseth’s political ambitions and right-wing convictions were already evident during this time. “We would argue about women’s reproductive rights,” one source shared. “He had some regressive views on birth control. His position was basically, if you got pregnant, it was your fault.”

Friends began noticing alarming behavior. On one occasion, Hegseth went out drinking with college buddies and didn’t return until the following morning, leaving Schwarz frantic and calling hospitals. When he finally came back, he allegedly berated her for worrying instead of apologizing.

In 2008, Hegseth told Schwarz he wanted to move back to Minnesota and pursue a graduate degree. Hoping to finally reunite with her husband, Schwarz quit her high-powered finance job, sold her apartment, and relocated. But Hegseth never showed up.

Instead, he gave conflicting excuses that left her confused and distressed. According to a friend of Schwarz, “In her journal, she was begging God to help her figure out what was happening.”

It all came crashing down in November when Hegseth flew to Minnesota and — while in his army uniform — admitted to cheating. The confession devastated Schwarz.

According to sources, even Hegseth seemed weighed down by guilt. “Pete said he no longer believed in God and family values,” the insider said. “He claimed he no longer wanted to seek the limelight. He said, and this quote is as clear as day, ‘I’m a f**ked up individual.’”

The final straw and a disturbing pattern

Despite everything, Meredith Schwarz tried to make the marriage work—she loved him. But when she started noticing charges for hotel rooms on her credit card, she knew something was wrong. After confronting Hegseth, who gave no clear explanation, she later discovered the truth: the room had been for Hegseth and Samantha Deering, a coworker from Vets for Freedom.

Hegseth admitted to having five affairs during their marriage. That was the breaking point for Schwarz, who decided to divorce him and cut off all communication.

Fast-forward to 2017, and it seems Hegseth hadn’t learned much from his past. While married to Deering, he began a relationship with Fox News producer Jennifer Rauchet and they had a child together that same year. Once Deering found out, she also divorced him.

Hegseth married Rauchet in 2019, and the two are still together.

It's also worth noting that Hegseth was accused of sexual assault just months before his child with Rauchet was born. He has vehemently denied the accusation, claiming the encounter was consensual, the Daily Beast reported.

Social media backlash as Donald Trump stands by Pete Hegseth

Despite Hegseth's scandal-laden past, Donald Trump has remained loyal to him as his nominee for Secretary of Defense (even though reports claim the former president was “blindsided” by the sexual assault allegation).

However, it is safe to say that Hegseth faces an uphill battle with the Senate. Critics on social media tore into Hegseth over his reported infidelity.

"Pete Hegseth must WITHDRAW!" one user posted on X.

"Surely we can find someone better than a sleaze lacking character," another wrote.

"If he can’t be faithful to his wife what’s to say he be faithful to his country?" someone else asked.

"Pete Hegseth: I had five affairs during my 4 year marriage. Trump: Really? You're hired!" read a comment.

"Oaths are meaningless to MAGA," another remarked.

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