The Measure of a Man: A 2nd Open Letter to Pete Hegseth—Trump's Choice for Secretary of Defense

Even your own mother couldn’t stay silent about your lies, abuse, and failure of character.

Pete,

The measure of a man is not found in his accolades or his titles, nor in the number of times his face flashes across a screen. It is his character. His honesty. How he treats those closest to him—particularly those vulnerable to his actions.

By that measure, you are failing. Spectacularly.

Even your own mother, Penelope Hegseth, has called you out for who you truly are. Her words in a letter to you were unflinching and painfully clear: “You belittle, lie, cheat, sleep around, and use women for your own power and ego.”

This isn’t hearsay. It’s not a partisan smear campaign. It is the raw, unvarnished judgment of the woman who raised you. The truth is clear: you have mistreated women—routinely, for years.

Mistreatment of women is not an abstract accusation. It is a glaring stain on your integrity and a violation of the moral standard we demand of anyone seeking power. For someone who claims to lead, let alone aspire to defend this nation, your pattern of behavior is disqualifying.

Your mom, Mrs. Hegseth, herself put it best: “On behalf of all the women (and I know it’s many) you have abused in some way, I say … get some help and take an honest look at yourself.”

How damning it is that even your mother has to plead with you to do what most decent men do instinctively: reflect, seek accountability, and change.

Pete, you are not a leader.

A leader wields power responsibly. A leader lifts others up, instead of tearing them down for personal gain. A leader respects the dignity of all people—especially those society often overlooks. Leaders don’t leave a trail of mistreated women and broken trust behind them.

This behavior isn’t just a private failing. It is a public one.

A man who cannot respect women cannot respect the principles of fairness and justice that underpin leadership. If this letter angers or offends you, let me assure you: it is not written out of malice. It is written out of necessity. Those who mistreat others must face consequences, and those who hold—or aspire to—power must be held to the highest standards.

Your mother said she was embarrassed to speak the truth about you. But you should be even more embarrassed to live it.

Step aside. Seek the help you so clearly need. Leave the work of defending this nation to someone whose character isn’t in perpetual question.

We deserve better.

Sincerely,
A Man Who Doesn’t Abuse Women

P.S. In case you missed my first letter to you, please see below. It lays bare the X-rated police report against you and your cozy little affair with white supremacy. You're welcome.

An Open Letter to Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense Nominee

Subject: Your Nomination for Secretary of Defense — A Blatant Spectacle of Opportunism, Recklessness, and the Sinister Nexus of White Nationalism and Sex Crimes