Pete Hegseth has denied sexual misconduct allegations after being nominated as Donald Trump’s defence secretary. Susie Wiles, Mr Trump’s incoming chief of staff, was briefed on Wednesday night about a claim that Mr Hegseth had behaved inappropriately with a woman in California seven years ago,

Hegseth, who is also a former soldier without political experience, will lead the world's most powerful military.

Before being tapped as Trump's nominee for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth is known for being the host of the popular Fox & Friends show on Fox News, which is often said to be the president-elect's favorite show.