The Defense secretary has carved out an unorthodox political niche that has helped insulate him from criticism inside the administration, at least for now.

Pete Hegseth’s reliance on using a Donald Trump deflection as allegations of incompetence, criminality and Pentagon infighting continue to grow is starting to wear thin, according to one former Trump White House insider.

Donald Trump bragged about one of his biggest donors, Miriam Adelson, donating $250 million to his campaign in 2024, at a White House Hanukkah event Tuesday night. Adelson then told the audience that Trump could run for a third term and whispered something in Trump’s ear. Trump smiled widely as he announced she’d offer him another $250 million.

"Outrage erupts as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's brazen defense of illegal boat strike sparks fears of imminent charges beyond

The Trump administration has backed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over strikes on an alleged Venezuelan drug boat in September. A second strike reportedly targeted survivors and has been widely criticized.

The White House's statement on the issue comes after US President Donald Trump earlier defended his Defense Secretary, after a Washington Post report alleged that Hegseth, on September 2, had given the order to carry out a follow-up strike on a suspected drug boat,

After a three-week holiday hiatus, Saturday Night Live returned to the airwaves on Dec. 6 with one of their favorite hosts: Five-Timers Club member Melissa McCarthy. The timing couldn't be better, since she was just hired to be the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Star (everyone needs a side hustle).