The New York Times obtained a copy of an email sent by the mother of Trump's chosen defense chief, who has a history of sexual misconduct allegations.

The mother of Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Defense, sent an email to her son in 2018 that sharply criticized his treatment of women, The New York Times reported Friday.

The man chosen to be Donald Trump’s defence secretary has come under further pressure over his private life after the emergence of an email from his mother calling him an “abuser” of women.

Penelope Hegseth made the accusation in an email to her son in 2018, amid his contentious divorce. She said on Friday that she regretted the email and had apologized to him.

The mother of Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for Defense Secretary, previously accused Hegseth of having abused “many women,” the New York Times reported, marking the latest claims that could complicate Hegseth’s confirmation process.

Hegseth’s statement that women shouldn’t serve in combat roles stems from outdated assumptions about physical capability, cohesion and mission effectiveness. These views ignore both historical and contemporary evidence of women excelling in these roles. That’s something Hegseth would have to see to recognize.

Pete Hegseth’s mother trashed his character in a blistering email shortly after his contentious divorce from his second wife, Samantha, the mother of three of his children. Penelope Hegseth, 70, wrote that President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for defense secretary had been mistreating women for years.

In a 2018 email to the former Fox News anchor, his mother Penelope Hegseth said she had ‘no respect’ for her son