As President-elect Donald Trump assembles his Cabinet, several of his choices face serious allegations of sexual misconduct, sparking widespread scrutiny. While Trump himself has long been accused of mistreating women and was recently found liable for sexual abuse and defamation against writer E. Jean Carroll, similar accusations surround his proposed appointees.
Notable among them is Pete Hegseth, nominee for secretary of defense, accused of assaulting a woman in 2017. While no charges were filed, Hegseth settled the matter confidentially. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., tapped for health and human services, admitted to inappropriate behavior towards a babysitter in the 1990s, describing his youth as “rambunctious.”
Linda McMahon, nominated for secretary of education, faces allegations of enabling child exploitation during her time at WWE. A lawsuit claims she ignored abuse involving young boys by a WWE employee, although her lawyer dismissed the accusations as baseless.
Elon Musk, slated to head a newly proposed Department of Government Efficiency, denied claims from a flight attendant who accused him of misconduct on his private jet in 2016. SpaceX reportedly paid the woman $250,000 in severance as part of a non-disclosure agreement.
Former nominee for attorney general, Matt Gaetz, withdrew after facing allegations of sex trafficking and misconduct.
Despite denials from all accused, the allegations against Trump’s Cabinet picks have raised significant questions about ethics and accountability in the incoming administration.
