Meidas Exclusive: Trump Defense Secretary Said THIS…

Pete Hegseth suggested that women share the blame for HIV exposure when a sexually promiscuous partner hides their diagnosis.

Written by J.D. Wolf

MeidasTouch has uncovered a clip of Trump’s Secretary of Defense nominee, Pete Hegseth, from a November 2015 appearance on Fox News Channel's Red Eye. During a discussion about actor Charlie Sheen’s revelation of his HIV diagnosis—specifically Sheen's admission that he hid his diagnosis from sexual partners—Hegseth implied that women contracting HIV from partners with known histories of sexual promiscuity bear some responsibility for contracting sexually transmitted diseases, even if their partner deliberately conceals their diagnosis.

While discussing Sheen’s failure to disclose his status to sexual partners, Hegseth stated: “Did these women really think they were going to get a clean bill of health dealing with Charlie Sheen at this point? ... The guy, as you said, has been around the block just a squoosh.” He added: “So, I just think there is a little bit of murky water here.”

Pete Hegseth: "Did these women really think they were going to get a clean bill of health dealing with Charlie Sheen at this point?"

Although Hegseth attempted to clarify that he wasn’t blaming Sheen’s victims, his comments suggested that women should assume the risk when engaging with partners with active sexual histories, even if those partners deliberately hide their HIV status. This rhetoric perpetuates harmful victim-blaming narratives, particularly against women.

Hegseth’s remarks undermine accountability for individuals who knowingly spread HIV and shift the focus onto victims, implying fault for perceived poor judgment.

Resistance HQ Bulletin 20, 12/6/24

As a nominee for Secretary of Defense, these comments raise questions about Hegseth’s fitness for the role. The Department of Defense is tasked with addressing critical issues of ethics, accountability, and the equal treatment of all service members and civilians.

Hegseth himself has faced sexual assault allegations—allegations he denies—while admitting to past instances of heavy drinking and infidelity. These revelations, coupled with his controversial comments, cast doubt on his suitability to lead the military, particularly in safeguarding the rights and well-being of women serving in the armed forces.

As scrutiny mounts, it will fall to Republican senators to decide whether Hegseth’s past remarks—implying that women who may have contracted HIV from partners who deliberately hid their diagnoses are partly to blame—render him unfit to lead the Department of Defense.