Inside the Tumultuous Buzz Surrounding Fox News Host Pete Hegseth’s Marriage

This article mentions serious allegations of sexual assault.

President-elect Donald Trump’s White House team includes several controversial figures, one being Fox News host Pete Hegseth, a candidate for defense secretary. Hegseth is recognized for advocating Christian family values, but his marriage faced turmoil due to ongoing rumors related to his connection with Jennifer Rauchet, a former colleague from “Fox & Friends.” The complexities began early on and have escalated with new sexual assault allegations that could impact his career.

Details about Hegseth and Rauchet’s romance are murky, but it became public knowledge that both were married with three children at the inception of their affair. This situation was highlighted when Rauchet gave birth to Hegseth’s daughter, Gwendolyn, in August 2017, shortly after which Hegseth’s second wife filed for divorce. Rauchet also sought to end her marriage around that time, and her pregnancy notably affected her job situation.

To mitigate potential scandal, Rauchet moved from her producer role on “Fox & Friends” to “Watters World” after informing her superiors about her pregnancy. After the buzz around their affair settled, Hegseth and Rauchet officially wed at Trump National Golf Club in August 2019, an event that also brought other couple’s relationships into the open. However, after their marriage, Hegseth’s faithfulness came into question again.

In October 2017, while Jennifer Rauchet was navigating motherhood, allegations against Pete Hegseth surfaced. He was investigated for an alleged sexual assault occurring after a Republican conference in Monterey, California. Hegseth acknowledged the encounter but claimed it was consensual. He maintained to police that the woman was comfortable with their interaction, according to a report from November 2024, as per CNN.

Although no charges were pressed against him, Hegseth did pay the woman to prevent a potential lawsuit that could threaten his position at Fox News. Hegseth’s attorney insisted that the investigation confirmed the allegations were unfounded, despite the report advising the case be referred to the Monterey County district attorney’s office.

Regardless of the claims, Hegseth’s relationship with Rauchet remained stable, as they were seen together shortly after the incident at a White House dinner with Trump, sharing smiles in a photo posted on Instagram. Rauchet publicly supported him during a Republican National Committee prayer call following the document’s release, according to CNN.

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, support is available. Visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN’s National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).

In 2023, alongside the serious allegations against Pete Hegseth, another rumor sparked discussions regarding his wife, Jennifer Rauchet. Following Tucker Carlson’s abrupt departure from Fox News, some alleged that Rauchet played a crucial role in his exit due to her position as executive producer. “Sources indicate Pete Hegseth’s wife was Tucker’s executioner,” tweeted alt-right figure Stew Peters tweeted.

Peters shared a claim suggesting Rauchet restricted Carlson from covering a particular segment, which led to Carlson requesting to depart. Speculation arose that Hegseth might fill Carlson’s coveted spot, leading to further theories. Hegseth quickly refuted these claims, stating that “my wife has no involvement in Tucker’s show and had nothing to do with any decisions,” responding directly to Peters on Twitter.

Despite the rumors, Hegseth confirmed he had a good rapport with Carlson, indicating his support for him in the face of claims about Rauchet’s supposed influence. “My extraordinary wife had nothing to do with anything. We love Tucker,” he tweeted in a follow-up tweet.