Geraldo Rivera Praises Fox News Pal as Trump’s Pentagon Pick
The TV personality backed the choice of Major Pete Hegseth despite going all guns blazing for Kamala Harris in the election.
CNN
Geraldo Rivera has backed Donald Trump’s choice of his former Fox News colleague Major Pete Hegseth as defense secretary.
Rivera famously backed Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election, branding Trump a “sore loser.”
But he believes the president-elect has made a wise choice by choosing Hegseth, 44, a Fox News host, author, and military veteran to take over at the Pentagon.
Rivera told CNN anchor Anderson Cooper: “I’ve spoken to retired, very high-ranking officers with deep Pentagon and warfighting experience and they voiced misgivings about him running this 3 million-strong department, so I get that.”
But he continued: “I know Pete Hegseth, Major Pete Hegseth, a two-time awardee of the Bronze Star. This is a combat veteran who loves other veterans, and who has a wonderful rapport with military families. I think it will be a very steep learning curve for Major Pete Hegseth but I think that if anyone can do it he can do it. He’s courageous, he’s patriotic, he’s smart, he’s well-educated, he cares deeply about it.
The two men worked together on Fox News and Rivera said he enjoyed the experience.
“I look at him and I see a kid,” he told Cooper. “But he’s in his mid-forties, he’s done a lot. It was great being opposite him on the couch. We never agreed on very much. But I think that he can do it.”
Get the best of The Beast delivered right to your inbox
By clicking “SUBSCRIBE” you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Rivera also went on social media to support Hegseth, posting on X: “Bravo Major Pete Hegseth an inspired choice for Defense Secretary. Awarded the Bronze Star, he is a combat veteran with service in Iraq and Afghanistan and strongest in his support of our veterans. RESPECT.”
Bravo Major Pete Hegseth an inspired choice for Defense Secretary. Awarded the Bronze Star, he is a combat veteran with service in Iraq and Afghanistan and strongest in his support of our veterans.
— Geraldo Rivera (@GeraldoRivera) November 13, 2024
RESPECT.
In another message, he added: “I’ve heard from high-ranking Pentagon veterans re: Major Pete Hegseth’s lack of experience running an organization-especially one with 3 million employees. Fair enough, but this guy has a great heart, strong character, patriotism and courage. He will grow into this tough job.”
Announcing the nomination on Tuesday, Trump described Hegseth as “tough, smart and a true believer in America First.”
The Daily Beast Podcast episodes are released every Thursday. Like and download on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app. And click here for email updates as each new episode drops.
See more of our coverage in your search results.
Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast here.
Register below to read this article for free or subscribe
to unlock unlimited access to The Daily Beast.
Monthly
$1
First month then $5.99/month
Annual
$35
First year then $59.99/year
Premium
$79
First year then $119.99/year
*Substack access provided by the next business day, using your subscription email. Choosing the Premium plan constitutes your permission to share your subscription email with Substack and your agreement to Substack’s Privacy Policy.
Already have an account? Sign In
Looks like you already have a subscription!
You're all set!
Thanks for subscribing.