What Americans Think About Pete Hegseth, Trump’s Defense Secretary Pick

Washington: So, Pete Hegseth is in the hot seat right now. He’s got to convince not just the senators but also a lot of Americans who aren’t too sure about him. A recent poll shows that only about 20% of folks approve of him stepping into the Defense Secretary role. That’s a pretty small number, right?

The poll also found that around a third of people disapprove of Trump’s choice, while another third don’t even know enough about Hegseth to have an opinion. He’s got a military background, which some see as a plus, but he’s also got a history of controversial statements and actions that raise eyebrows. He’s even promised to stay away from alcohol if he gets the job.

Interestingly, more Republican men seem to back him compared to women in the party. About half of GOP men are on board, while only a third of Republican women feel the same way. Some of them are still on the fence about him. Hegseth has faced backlash for his views on women in combat, but he’s tried to soften his stance since then.

Older Republicans are more likely to support him than younger ones. And while he admits he doesn’t have the usual government experience, he’s pitching himself as a “change agent.” But many Americans aren’t thrilled about the idea of someone without a government background advising the president. It’s a mixed bag out there, and it’ll be interesting to see how this all plays out.