An organization previously supported by tech billionaire Elon Musk is running an ad pressuring senators to support President-elect Trump's pick for secretary of defense, Pete Hegseth.
The ad, by the conservative group Building America's Future, will air on national television and will focus specifically on Iowa through digital platforms. It was first reported that daily caller.
“America needs a Secretary of Defense who knows what it means to fight and understands the price of freedom,” the narrator says in the ad posted Friday. To social platform X.
The $500,000 ad for Building America's Future features a photo and video clip of Hegseth, calling him “a patriot, decorated veteran, and dedicated to keeping America safe.” He calls himself a “warrior who will stop at nothing.” The story ends with the narrator urging, “Contact your senators today and urge them to confirm Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense.”
Musk began contributing to Building America's Future in 2022, Reuters previously reported.
Hegseth has come under increased scrutiny from Republican senators after recent revelations of past allegations of alcohol abuse and sexual misconduct.
Despite the controversy, Hegseth said Wednesday he would not back down and suggested in a post on X that he was the target of a smear campaign by Democrats.
The “Building America's Future” ad is clearly aimed at Iowa, which may be due to the state's Sen. Joni Ernst (R) and her recent comments that Hegseth didn't get the votes. do not have. Hegseth met with Ernst twice last week, one of which was on Monday.
Ernst said in a statement that Trump's pick for defense secretary was “committed to completing a complete audit of the Department of Defense and choosing a senior official based on quality and standards, not quotas, who will protect the roles and values of service members and military personnel.” ” he said. I intend to prioritize and strengthen my efforts to prevent sexual assault within the ranks. ”
The Hill has reached out to Ernst's office for comment.
