Four men under consideration for Donald Trump’s second presidential term have been publicly accused of sexual misconduct. These include former Rep. Matt Gaetz, Fox News host Pete Hegseth, former independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and tech billionaire Elon Musk. Trump himself has faced accusations from 19 women and was found liable for the sexual abuse of writer E. Jean Carroll in a civil case.
Gaetz, nominated for attorney general, faced allegations of paying women for sex and having a sexual relationship with a minor. Hegseth, picked as secretary of defense, settled a sexual assault claim to avoid losing his job at Fox News. Kennedy apologized to a nanny he groped and is Trump’s choice for leading the Department of Health and Human Services. Musk, nominated to lead a new Department of Government Efficiency, faced a $250,000 settlement for a sexual misconduct claim and a lawsuit over harassment and discrimination at SpaceX.
Despite these allegations, Trump has largely ignored the misconduct claims against his potential cabinet members. Gaetz, who resigned from Congress amid the probe, denies any wrongdoing. Hegseth denies the sexual assault allegation and was not charged. Kennedy dismissed the assault allegation as part of his youth but privately apologized. Musk denied the settlement and harassment claims. The future of these nominations remains uncertain as the allegations continue to overshadow the potential appointments.
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