Newly sworn-in Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth earned nearly $6 million over the past two years from his Fox News job, book deals, and speaking engagements, financial disclosures show.
The documents, covering 2023 and 2024, show Hegseth collected $4.6 million as a Fox News host. His transition to the Pentagon’s top civilian post will bring a pay cut, as the defense secretary position paid $246,000 in 2024.
Hegseth pulled in $765,000 from speaking fees, charging between $10,000 and $25,000 per appearance at conservative organizations, including Turning Point USA, the Heritage Foundation, and the National Rifle Association. Book deals added another $600,500, with his 2024 title “The War on Warriors” generating a $348,000 advance.
Don't Miss:
- Deloitte's fastest-growing software company partners with Amazon, Walmart & Target – Many are rushing to grab 4,000 of its pre-IPO shares for just $0.26/share!
- Built on the trusted network of Fortune 500 companies, this blockchain company partners with Salesforce to uproot lengthy and expensive B2B transactions, and you can invest with just $100.
The financial records surfaced as Hegseth faced intense scrutiny during his Senate confirmation. Vice President JD Vance broke a 50-50 tie Friday night to confirm him, marking a rare split vote for a defense secretary nominee.
Hegseth’s wife, Jennifer Rauchet, a former Fox News producer, holds stakes in major companies including Amazon AMZN, Apple AAPL, and defense contractor Northrop Grumman NOC. The couple’s assets include Bitcoin holdings worth at least $15,001, a Baltimore rental property, and bank accounts totaling more than $67,000.
Their liabilities include two mortgages—one between $1 million and $5 million on their residence, and another between $100,001 and $250,000 on a rental property.
Trending: Nancy Pelosi Invested $5 Million In An AI Company Last Year — Here's How You Can Invest In Multiple Pre-IPO AI Startups With Just $1,000
At his Saturday swearing-in ceremony, Hegseth outlined his priorities. “Restore the warrior ethos in everything that we do, rebuild our military and reestablish deterrence.”
The narrow confirmation came despite opposition from all Senate Democrats and three Republicans—Sens. Mitch McConnell, Susan Collins, and Lisa Murkowski—who questioned his qualifications and personal conduct.
Hegseth faces immediate challenges leading the Pentagon’s vast bureaucracy amid global conflicts and modernization efforts.
He will also oversee the Pentagon’s $850 billion budget and 2.1 million service members. His financial ties drew attention during confirmation hearings, where senators pressed him on potential conflicts of interest with defense contractors.
During his confirmation hearing, members of the Senate Armed Services Committee scrutinized his past statements and earnings, particularly his Fox News commentary on military policies and leadership. “I want smarter and more capable people around me than me, and you will get that at the department,” Hegseth told the panel, acknowledging his need to build an experienced team.
According to a report by CNBC, Senate Democratic leader Charles Schumer criticized the appointment after the vote. “Republicans have entrusted the most powerful military in the world to someone with no experience, terrible judgment and serious flaws of character,” he said.
Read Next:
- ‘Scrolling To UBI' — Deloitte's #1 fastest-growing software company allows users to earn money on their phones. You can invest today for just $0.26/share with a $1000 minimum.
- According to Juniper Research, the total value of B2B cross-border payments stored on the blockchain is projected to exceed $4.4 trillion — Join the first company to bring blockchain payments to Salesforce early with just $100.
© 2025 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Trade confidently with insights and alerts from analyst ratings, free reports and breaking news that affects the stocks you care about.
