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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jack Spear. President-elect Donald

Trump's pick to lead the Pentagon is battling accusations of sexual misconduct and heavy

drinking. A former colleague at Fox News tells NPR that Peek-Hegseth made on welcome physical advances

while inebrated on multiple occasions.

More from NPR's David Falkenflick.

The former colleague tells NPR that Hegseth once even groped her bottom at a Manhattan bar.

She asked not to be identified for fear of retribution.

Hegsteth came to prominence as the host of Fox and Friends weekend.

Hegsett's attorney Timothy Pallori, called the allegation a false claim.

Through a spokesperson, Fox tells NPR that it had not received complaints about that accusation.

On Tuesday, NBC reported that 10 current and former Fox colleagues alleged Hegseth drank alcohol to excess.

Palletori said that had been debunked by allies at Fox who have

stepped forward to defend his name. In 2018, Hegss's mother privately denounced her son's behavior.

This morning, she appeared on Fox and Friends to try and help him save his nomination.

David Fulkenflik, NPR News. President-elect Donald Trump has nominated a billionaire private

citizen astronaut to run NASA.

NPR's Jeff Bromfield has more on that story. His name is Jared Isaacman. He's made a fortune in the

online payments business, and earlier this year he became the first private citizen to conduct a

spacewalk. Isaacman made that trip aboard a capsule built by Elon Musk's company SpaceX. SpaceX broadcasts

his view live as he looked down on the planet. Back at home, we all have a lot of work to do

for some years. We're sure looks like a perfect world. Isaacman is a friend of Musk's. His company, Shift

...