Background

Pete Hegseth, a Fox News host and potential defense secretary nominee, faces anonymous allegations from various groups and individuals. The most prominent is a sexual assault allegation from 2017 that resulted in a 2020 settlement agreement. The accuser in this case was previously bound by a confidentiality agreement which is no longer in effect. Hegseth's attorney has threatened legal action if accusations are made public. Other actions have been reported in news outlets attributed to anonymous sources.

Resolution Criteria

This market will resolve separately for each potential accuser or group:

• For individual accusers: The person must publicly identify themselves and make specific allegations against Hegseth before or during confirmation hearings -- both testimony in the hearings and reported statements in the media will count.

• For group accusations (CVA whistleblowers, Vets for Freedom critics): At least one named individual from the specified group must come forward with specific allegations

• Resolution will be based on mainstream media reporting and official confirmation hearing records

• Anonymous statements or unverified social media claims will not count as "coming forward openly"

• If confirmation hearings do not occur (e.g., nomination is withdrawn or never made), the market will resolve NO for all options remaining open

• I will extend the closing time for the market if the nomination has not been withdrawn and confirmation hearings are still planned or ongoing

Considerations

• The sexual assault accuser's confidentiality agreement from the 2020 settlement is no longer binding

• Legal threats from Hegseth's attorney may influence decisions to come forward

• Some potential accusers may be bound by other non-disclosure agreements or legal settlements

• The timing and likelihood of confirmation hearings remain uncertain

• Historical precedent shows that confirmation hearings often prompt previously silent accusers to come forward