Dem MP slams Hegseth’s youngest daughter for ‘despicable’ confirmation debate

Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., called out Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s daughter during a heated hearing, prompting a backlash from conservatives on social media who said the comments crossed a line.

“So you think you’re completely free because you didn’t commit a crime?” the former vice president told Hegseth during his Senate confirmation hearing on Tuesday.

“That explanation of yours is deleted. You just had a child two months ago with a woman who is not your wife. It is strange to me that you can stand here and say that you are clean. You can just cheat on your second wife. And then cheat on the mother of the child who was born two months ago?

Kaine has been commenting on Hegseth’s behavior in previous marriages, including an October 2017 incident in Monterey, California, where Hegseth was accused of sexual assault. Hegseth, a former Fox News anchor, was later cleared of wrongdoing following an investigation, and has described the incident as consensual. “I was fully investigated and cleared completely,” he said of the allegations.

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“Senator, her child’s name is Gwendolyn Hope Hegseth, and she is a child of God,” Hegseth replied. “You’re 7 years old, and I’m glad you’re here.”

“And he cheated on the mother of that child,” Kaine replied. “Within two months of that daughter’s birth, right?”

Hegseth told Kaine those were “false accusations” and reiterated that he was “absolutely exonerated” and “grateful” for the marriage he has with an “amazing woman” behind him.

Kaine insisted, “You admitted that you had sex in that hotel in October 2017. You said you agreed. Isn’t that right?”

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Pete Hegseth speaks about the gesture during his Senate Armed Services Committee hearing. (Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)

The two continued to go back and forth on the veracity of the claims against Hegseth, with Kaine pressing the candidate on whether he was fulfilling his marriage vows.

“I’ll let your words speak for themselves,” Hegseth said at one point.

“As I have admitted to everyone on this committee, I am not perfect. I’m not saying I am,” Hegseth said before being cut off by Kaine, who went on to accuse Hegseth of withholding information about the allegations while being questioned by Trump’s team.

Kaine eventually went on to question Hegseth about his relationship with alcohol and other allegations that Hegseth dismissed as “false.”

Conservatives on social media, and Seni. Markwayne MullinR-Okla., at one point in the hearing, objected to Kaine’s list of questions, specifically asking for Hegseth’s daughter.

“Senator Tim Kaine really tried to use Pete Hegseth’s 7-year-old daughter against him, which is disgusting,” said opposition commentator Drew Hernandez. posted on X.

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Sen. Tim Kaine (Getty Images)

“IRONY ALERT: Senator Tim Kaine (D-Virginia) tries to lecture Pete Hegseth on adultery,” The First TV posted on X. “Remember that Tim Kaine ran on a failed presidential ticket as Hillary Clinton, Bill Clinton’s legal wife.”

“Tim Kaine has a lot to say about Pete Hegseth’s behavior while married,” Article III Project senior counsel Will Chamberlain posted on X. “Here’s Tim Kaine campaigning with Doug Emhoff, who – while married – impregnated his nanny and forced her to have an abortion.”

Fox News Digital reached out to Kaine’s office for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

Fox News Digital’s Breanne Deppisch contributed to this report