“These attacks are not just false — they’re dangerous.”

After weeks of silence following his ex-wife Meredith Schwarz’s public emotional plea — in which she claimed Pete Hegseth was “erasing their son’s emotions” and “raising him to worship power” — the Fox News host has finally issued a response. But instead of calming the storm, Pete’s reaction has only fueled it.

A PUBLIC STATEMENT, A PRIVATE BACKLASH

On his Sunday podcast “Battle-Tested Fatherhood,” Pete opened the episode with what he called a “duty to clarify the lies being circulated.” The statement was brief, measured, and oddly distant.

“I will not allow my family to be used as a political football or emotional spectacle. I love my children. I raise them to be strong. I will not apologize for that.”

He added:

“This is not about custody. It’s about control. And I won’t play that game.”

But what many expected to be a firm defense quickly spiraled into a PR nightmare.

“NOT AN APOLOGY. NOT A DENIAL. JUST AN EGO TRIP.”

Meredith, upon hearing the statement, reportedly told a close friend:

“He didn’t deny a single thing I said. He just wrapped himself in patriotism and power again, like he always does.”

Social media exploded. Critics accused Pete of “gaslighting in real time”, while others pointed out how his statement never addressed his son’s emotional well-being — the central point of Meredith’s concern.

“He’s using ‘strength’ as a shield,” one psychologist tweeted. “But what his ex-wife described isn’t discipline — it’s emotional suppression.”

THEN COMES JENNIFER

In a surprising move, Pete’s wife Jennifer Rauchet — a Fox News producer known for keeping a polished public image — posted a long Instagram Story the following day, defending Pete and attacking his ex-wife.

“We’ve worked hard to build a stable, faith-driven home. Pete is the most incredible father I’ve ever seen — strong, present, and full of purpose.”

But then she added a line that drew immediate backlash:

“Some women confuse being challenged with being controlled.”

The internet erupted.

Feminist writers and parenting experts called the comment “tone-deaf,” “regressive,” and “dangerously dismissive.” Several prominent activists demanded Fox News address the situation, with hashtags like #LetBoysFeel and #StopThePerformanceParenting trending for 48 hours.

AND THEN… A LEAKED EMAIL

Three days later, as the firestorm grew, a private email between Pete and his legal team was leaked to a tabloid. In it, Pete allegedly discussed “shifting custody dynamics” and hinted at “neutralizing emotional instability through counseling bias.”

The phrasing shocked even his allies.

“The man is more concerned with optics than with healing,” said one former campaign aide. “Everything is a chess move to him.”

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Legal experts now believe Meredith may have enough public support — and possibly internal documentation — to pursue sole physical custody. Meanwhile, insiders say Pete’s PR team is in crisis mode, trying to “reframe the narrative” before the next wave of damage hits.

Fox News declined to comment.

A WAR OF WORLDS — AND A CHILD IN THE MIDDLE

The sad irony? While both camps make statements and gather support, a child remains at the center of the storm.

“He doesn’t need soldiers. He needs parents,” one therapist wrote in an open editorial.

As the story develops, one thing becomes clear: This isn’t just about a bitter ex or a bad breakup. It’s about two very different visions of parenting — one rooted in power and discipline, the other in emotion and restoration — now clashing in full view of the American public.