This is the horrifying moment Trump’s new Defense Secretary threw an ax and accidentally hit the drummer of the West Point Hellcats marching band.
Pete Hegseth was live on Fox & Friends when he threw an ax at a big red target for a competition segment in 2015.
The Fox host completely missed the target and swung the large metal ax over the board toward drummer Jeff Prosperie, who was playing behind him.
Footage that went viral at the time showed Hegseth backing away as Prosperie flinched before being cut in the arm. Hegseth then shrugged at the camera.
The video re-circulated following the announcement that Hegseth, an Iraq and Afghanistan veteran, would be named Trump’s new defense secretary next year.
Fox News host Pete Hegseth is seen throwing an ax as part of a segment on the show.
The ax passes over the board into the public area behind.
On the other side of the board, a marching band performs in the path of the flying axe.
The ax appeared to affect drummer Jeff Prosperie, who later sued
Hegseth is a veteran who has worked for Fox & Friends since 2014.
Prosperie denied being hit with the ax at the time, but said he did suffer some cuts to his wrist.
He later wrote: ‘I was hit by an ax while playing a live drum solo on national television…words I never imagined saying! This happened…’
“It could have been much worse or fatal,” he insisted, blaming the incident on “obvious negligence.”
He later filed suit and argued that Hegseth had “negligently attempted to throw an ax at a ‘target’.”
He maintained that the target was “negligently placed in an area” that put people “in danger.”
Fox News told The Hill at the time that Prosperie had rejected an offer of medical help and compensation at the time.
The Hill reported that he would choose to sue three years later, in 2018.
“The incident involving Jeff Prosperie in 2015 was unfortunate and completely unintentional,” Fox said in a statement.
‘FOX News immediately apologized to Prosperie and offered him medical assistance, which he declined, saying he was “fine.”‘
‘The network also offered him compensation, which he also rejected. “We haven’t heard from Prosperie since 2015, so the demand is surprising and we are reviewing it.”
Prosperie said in the complaint that he suffered “severe and serious personal injuries” to both “mind and body” from the incident, including some that he said were “permanent with permanent effects of pain, disability, disfigurement and loss.” of bodily function.
It was unclear if the case was resolved.
Hegseth joined Fox in 2014 to host Fox & Friends Weekend. In 2019 he unleashed controversy when he admitted that he “never washes my hands” on the show.
Speaking of eating a day-old pizza that hadn’t been refrigerated, he said he didn’t see a problem.
‘I get vaccinated myself. Germs are not a real thing. I can’t see them, therefore they are not real.
the later saying He had been joking but reportedly added that he also supported drinking from hoses and riding a bike without a helmet, in posts from removed.
Hegseth is understood having become friends with Donald Trump, a frequent guest on the show, while on Fox, despite having no political background.
Trump announced Tuesday that Hegseth would take over as Secretary of Defense, writing, “I am honored to announce that I have nominated Pete Hegseth to serve as Secretary of Defense in my Cabinet.”
‘Pete has spent his entire life as a warrior for troops and country. Pete is tough, smart and a true believer in America First.’
Hegseth deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan with the Army National Guard and earned two Bronze Stars before running unsuccessfully for the Senate in Minnesota in 2012 and joining Fox News.
He is also the author of ‘The War Against Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free.’
The book, according to its promotion, combines “his own war experiences, stories of outrage and an incisive look at how the chain of command became so twisted,” and bills itself as “the key to saving our warriors and winning future wars.” .’
Hegseth also served as executive director of Vets For Freedom, a political advocacy group, and Concerned Veterans for America.
The decision to appoint him Secretary of Defense came as a shock to defense industry experts.
A defense industry lobbyist, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said POLITCO after the news of the nomination: ‘Who the fuck is this guy?’
Paul Rieckhoff, founder of Independent Veterans of America, wrote on Twitter/X: ‘Hegseth is without a doubt the least qualified candidate for SecDef in US history. And the most overtly political. Get ready, America.’
Drummer Jeff Prosperie sued over 2015 incident
Hegseth deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan with the Army National Guard, earned two Bronze Stars and ran unsuccessfully for the Senate in Minnesota in 2012 before joining Fox News.
He is also the author of ‘The War Against Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free.’
His appointment came amid a flurry of nominations until Tuesday, when Trump began naming his Cabinet.
Trump will nominate former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee as ambassador to Israel.
Huckabee, a Baptist minister and father of former Trump press secretary and current Arkansas governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, is a strong supporter of Israel.
Although he has no official foreign affairs experience, he would be at the center of efforts to fulfill Trump’s promise to more closely align American foreign policy with Israel’s interests while waging wars against the Iran-backed terrorist groups Hamas and Hezbollah.
Trump also named real estate investor Steven Witkoff as his special envoy to the Middle East.
Witkoff, a friend and golf buddy of the president-elect, is in a new role after entering politics in January as co-chairman of Trump’s inauguration.
He then spoke at the Republican National Convention in July and was with Trump when a suspected assassin entered the Trump International Golf Club in September.
Witkoff owns a large portfolio of properties in New York and other American cities and was a donor to Trump’s campaign before his appointment.
He has no experience in diplomacy or the Middle East.