Trump has indicated that the revelations about the accuser and payment have not deterred him from Hegseth's selection as defense secretary.

His choice for defense secretary, Fox News host Pete Hegseth, is facing allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman in 2017 and then paid her a settlement. A separate report also accuses Hegseth of being an extremist during his time in the National Guard.

Although Prosperie filed a lawsuit against Hegseth after the incident, it was discontinued in 2019. “The parties have resolved the matter and will make no further comment,” Prosperie’s attorney, Brandon Cotter, told the Associated Press.