As Pete Hegseth struggles with allegations, Republicans start turning against him

"Either he was lying to us on Sunday, or he's incompetent and didn't know it had happened," GOP Sen. Rand Paul said.

Wednesday, December 03, 2025 TODAY'S TOP MADDOWBLOG POSTS As Pete Hegseth struggles with allegations, Republicans start turning against him As Pete Hegseth struggles with allegations, Republicans start turning against him "Either he was lying to us on Sunday, or he's incompetent and didn't know it had happened," GOP Sen. Rand Paul said. MORE Trump's pardon for Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar fits a pro-corruption pattern Trump appears to have a soft spot for politicians accused or convicted of corruption charges, regardless of party. MORE Trump's pardon for Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar fits a pro-corruption pattern Trump appears to have a soft spot for politicians accused or convicted of corruption charges, regardless of party. MORE Some Republicans see 'flashing red light' in Tennessee, despite victory Many in the party hoped for a double-digit victory in a district that Trump won by 22 points. That didn't happen. MORE Some Republicans see 'flashing red light' in Tennessee, despite victory Many in the party hoped for a double-digit victory in a district that Trump won by 22 points. That didn't happen. MORE Trump slams affordability concerns as a 'con job,' as he refuses to listen or learn "The word 'affordability' is a con job by the Democrats," the president declared at his Cabinet meeting, reality be damned. MORE Trump slams affordability concerns as a 'con job,' as he refuses to listen or learn "The word 'affordability' is a con job by the Democrats," the president declared at his Cabinet meeting, reality be damned. MORE MORE FROM THE MADDOWBLOG Abandoning all subtlety, Trump calls Somalis 'garbage' as part of a racist rant Trump's struggles to stay awake adds to growing questions about his fading health Despite talk of 'transparency,' Team Trump wants to keep Jack Smith's findings under wraps Hegseth, beside sleepy Trump, backtracks on boasts about boat strike amid war crimes talk Anti-Trump protests sweep the country as his approval rating sinks to new lows WHAT'S ON RACHEL'S BLUESKY RADAR "It's wild but not surprising that last week the White House was leaning into "these seditious Democrats dared suggest that troops were receiving illegal orders!!!" and this week they are scrambling to figure out who to blame for issuing illegal orders." (Philip Bump) "lot of big words when RACIST has always been right there" President Trump unleashed a xenophobic tirade against Somali immigrants on Tuesday during a publicly broadcast cabinet meeting, calling them "garbage" he does not want in the U.S. as he sought to refocus public attention on his anti-immigration rhetoric. (Greg Pak dings the New York Times (story link)) New: "Nasdaq Tells Trump Crypto Partner Alt5 Sigma It 'No Longer Meets' Listing Requirements After Missed Report" me, for @forbes.com 1/ (Zach Everson shares Forbes) "Pete Hegseth says he's going to court-martial me for saying the same exact thing he said 9 years ago. What changed for Pete? Well to start, he spends all day thinking about how he can suck up to Trump. When Trump says jump, he says how high." (Senator Mark Kelly) Follow Rachel Maddow on Bluesky here. Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Sign up to follow it yourself or send this sign-up link to someone you know would appreciate it. RACHEL HANGS OUT WITH STEPHEN COLBERT NEWS TIPS? SEND IT TO RACHEL MADDOWSHOW ON THREADS RACHEL MADDOW ON BLUESKY  229 West 43rd St. New York, NY 10036 UNSUBSCRIBE | PRIVACY | CONTACT | VIEW IN BROWSER UNSUBSCRIBE | PRIVACY | CONTACT | VIEW IN BROWSER