For years, Pete Hegseth stood in front of millions, suited up with a patriotic smile, a Bible in one hand and a war story in the other. But now, three women who once shared his last name are stepping out of the shadows — and their stories are rewriting the public narrative.

Meredith, Samantha, and Jennifer — all ex-wives of the Fox News star — have one thing in common besides his last name: they say the man behind the camera was nothing like the one on TV.

“He talks about loyalty, honor, and faith,” said Meredith, Pete’s first wife, in an exclusive interview. “But behind closed doors, he was cold, distant, and emotionally cruel. He didn’t want a partner — he wanted a cheerleader who never questioned him.”

The marriage, which ended in the early 2010s, was rarely spoken about — until now. Meredith says she was silenced for years, fearing backlash from Pete’s growing fanbase and powerful network.

But she’s not alone.

Samantha, the second wife, described her relationship with Hegseth as “a whirlwind of image management.”

“We lived our lives like a campaign,” she said. “Every dinner was about optics. Every fight had to be kept under wraps. He was more concerned about appearing like a family man than actually being one.”

Samantha claims that while Pete publicly advocated for conservative family values, he was emotionally unavailable at home and “treated his wife like a prop.” She filed for divorce quietly, citing “irreconcilable differences,” but now says those words were a legal mask for years of disappointment.

Then came Jennifer Rauchet — Pete’s third wife, and former Fox Nation executive producer. The two began their relationship while Pete was still married to Samantha, a scandal that briefly rocked conservative media headlines.

“I should’ve known better,” Jennifer admitted. “I believed I was different. That we were different. But the truth is, I walked into the same storm.”

Jennifer says the passion quickly turned into control, gaslighting, and emotional exhaustion. She alleges that Pete had a way of flipping arguments to make her feel guilty — even when he was the one who crossed the line.

“It’s hard to say this, but… Pete Hegseth is charming in public and terrifying in private,” she said. “He doesn’t yell — he dismisses. He makes you feel small while smiling. That’s worse than shouting.”

None of the women are seeking revenge. In fact, all three insisted they stayed silent for years to protect their children and move on with their lives. But when they saw Pete doubling down on national television about what it means to be a “Godly husband,” they decided enough was enough.

“You don’t get to brand yourself as a moral authority,” said Meredith, “when the people who lived with you would beg to differ.”

So far, Pete Hegseth has not responded publicly to the claims.

But the whispers have turned into headlines.
And the headlines? They’ve shattered the picture-perfect image of the all-American anchor.