Pete Hegseth argues sex with unconscious woman isn't rape

In November 2024, Pete Hegseth faced significant backlash following accusations of sexual assault from a woman, which he allegedly sought to silence through financial means. Hegseth, who graduated from Princeton University in 2003, was the publisher of The Princeton Tory magazine during a controversial period in which one of the issues contained a column asserting that sex with an unconscious woman did not qualify as rape. This belief, outlined in a piece he published, hinged on the argument that without active resistance or duress, intoxicated individuals were not in a position to consent, and thus their unconscious state did not constitute a lack of consent in the strictest sense of the term. Hegseth’s past statements have resurfaced amid his nomination by President-elect Donald Trump for the position of defense secretary, leading to a scrutinized examination of his history and political positions. His attorneys confirmed payments made to settle claims, highlighting the controversies surrounding his nomination and raising questions about accountability and ethical standards for government officials. The Princeton Tory positioned itself as a platform for conservative ideologies at Princeton, often challenging progressive perspectives, contributing to the tumultuous discourse surrounding campus policies and societal views on assault and consent. Hegseth's decade-old views now stand in stark contrast to contemporary understandings of sexual consent, further complicating his candidacy and positioning in a polarized political environment and emphasizing the ongoing societal struggle to reconcile historical viewpoints with evolving standards of conduct.