Democratic senator denounced for invoking Hegseth’s young daughter in ‘despicable’ confirmation hearing exchange

Sen. Tim KaineD-Va., invoked the daughter of Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth during a heated hearing, prompting pushback from conservatives on social media who argued the comments crossed a line.

“So you think you’re completely cleared because you haven’t committed a crime?” the former vice presidential candidate told Hegseth during his Senate confirmation hearing on Tuesday.

“That’s your definition of cleared. You just had a child two months ago with a woman who wasn’t your wife. I’m amazed you stand here and say you’re completely cleared. You can cheat on a second wife so casually. and cheat on the mother of a child who was born two months earlier and you tell us that you are completely clear?

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

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“Senator, your child’s name is Gwendolyn Hope Hegseth, and he is God’s child,” Hegseth replied. “He’s 7 years old and I’m glad he’s here.”

“And you cheated on that child’s mother,” Kaine replied. “Less than two months after that daughter was born, right?”

Hegseth told Kaine they were “false charges” and reiterated that he was “completely cleared” and “grateful” for the marriage he has with the “amazing woman” behind him.

Kaine pressed: “You admitted that you had sex in that hotel in October 2017. You said it was consensual. Is that correct?”

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The two continued to go back and forth about the veracity of the claims against Hegseth, and Kaine pressed the candidate on whether he kept his wedding vows.

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

“As I have acknowledged to all members of this committee, I am not a perfect person. I’m not saying I am,” Hegseth said before being cut off by Kaine, who accused Hegseth of withholding information about the impeachment when he was cross-examined by the Trump team.

Kaine eventually went on to question Hegseth about his drinking and other allegations that Hegseth has dismissed as “false”.

Conservatives on social media, along with Senator Markwayne MullinR-Okla., at another point in the hearing, countered with Kaine’s line of questioning, specifically invoking Hegseth’s daughter.

“Senator Tim Kaine really tried to use Pete Hegseth’s 7-year-old daughter against him, despicable,” said conservative commentator Drew Hernandez. published in X.

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

“Tim Kaine has a lot to say about Pete Hegseth’s conduct during his marriage,” said Will Chamberlain, senior adviser to the Article III Project. published in 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 hear back.

Fox News Digital’s Breanne Deppisch contributed to this report