'Saved himself': Insiders say Trump enamored with Hegseth's scandal 'defiance'

Former Fox News personality Pete Hegseth may have saved his chances to have a Senate hearing to be the next secretary of defense by impressing Donald Trump with his determination to battle for the job.

According to a report from Politico, Hegseth's decision to go on the offense when confronted with allegations of public drunkenness and an accusation of sexual assault seems to have kept the former president from replacing him as the nominee.

With the report noting that ex-Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) pulled the trigger on stepping down as attorney general pick when he met with resistance from Republican senators, Hegseth has soldiered on with the support of MAGA activists who have come to his aid.

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Politico's Meridith McGraw and Natalie Allison are reporting "Hegseth saved himself with Trump, according to multiple people familiar with the matter, who said the president-elect was pleased with the defiance he showed last week in interviews and in meetings on Capitol Hill."

According to one transition official, "He [Hegseth] stood strong and showed up to the Hill every day and had thoughtful conversations and meetings, and I think his media blitz was highly effective in proving he’s not going to back down.”

The report notes that Hegseth's change in fortune is a relief to Trump's inner circle who feared a "feeding frenzy" rebellion by GOP lawmakers if another Trump pick was forced out.

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