Penelope Hegseth condemned the media’s use of a letter she sent her son in 2018 accusing him of abusing women and displaying a lack of character. “I want to say something about the media,” she told “Fox & Friends” co-hosts. “Part of today is to discredit the media and how they contact you.” Penelope Hegseth went on to accuse the New York Times of “threatening” her into releasing a statement before it published a story last week about the letter which has since fueled doubt about Pete Hegseth’s ability to remain President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee. “I think that’s a despicable way to treat anyone. Threats are dangerous, and they’re hard on families,” she added.

Her letter, which she immediately disavowed according to the Times, has been the epicenter of a swirling controversy that involves rape allegations, alcohol-fueled nights with colleagues, and a contentious divorce with the mother of his three children. Penelope Hegseth said her initial missive was sent in anger over the latter, which involved Samantha, Hegseth’s wife who filed for divorce following an extramarital affair. Asked if she had “worked it out” with her son after the letter was sent, Penelope Hegseth was unequivocal. “Oh yeah. Pete and I are very close today. In fact our whole family is very tight-knit.”