Trump taps Fox News host Pete Hegseth to serve as Secretary of Defense

The president-elect said Hegseth is "a true believer in America First."

President-elect Donald Trump has selected Fox News host Pete Hegseth to lead the Department of Defense.

Trump made the announcement Tuesday on his Truth Social platform on Tuesday night.

Trump listed Hegseth's experience as a veteran and his media experience as his reasons for the choice.

"Pete is tough, smart and a true believer in America First. With Pete at the helm, America’s enemies are on notice - Our Military will be Great Again, and America will Never Back Down," Trump said in the post.

Hegseth, 44, did not immediately comment on the announcement.

Hegseth served as the executive director of the advocacy group Concerned Veterans for America, which has called for more privatization of the Veterans Administration.

Hegseth joined FOX News in 2014 as a contributor and co-hosts FOX & Friends Weekend and offers commentary on the network's other programs, where he has consistently bashed Democrats on various topics from LGBTQ issues to foreign policy.