BREAKING: Pete Hegseth opens senate confirmation hearing by calling Adam Schiff ‘so ugly even Epstein wouldn’t bring him to his island’
Washington, D.C.—The room was electric as Pete Hegseth, the Fox News host-turned-cabinet nominee, kicked off his Senate confirmation hearing with a bold—and eyebrow-raising—opening remark aimed at Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA).
“Before we begin,” Hegseth said with a smirk, “I just want to say that Adam Schiff is so ugly, even Jeffrey Epstein wouldn’t bring him to his island.”
The comment sent audible gasps—and some chuckles—rippling through the chamber. Senators exchanged bewildered looks as Schiff, seated in the audience with his trademark wide-eyed stare, blinked furiously in disbelief.
“Is this a confirmation hearing or a roast?” muttered Sen. Bernie Sanders under his breath, though microphones picked it up clearly.
Hegseth, unfazed, leaned back confidently in his chair. “Look, I’m just here to bring transparency, and frankly, the American people deserve to know we’re not sending people like Schiff on diplomatic missions.”
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer immediately called for decorum, stating, “This is neither the time nor the place for personal attacks,” but his plea fell on deaf ears as Hegseth doubled down.
“I’m just saying, if Epstein had a VIP list, Schiff would’ve been standing outside the velvet rope trying to argue his way in with a PowerPoint presentation,” Hegseth quipped.
Republicans in the chamber, including Sen. Josh Hawley, could barely contain their laughter, while Democrats looked horrified. Schiff, for his part, released a statement after the hearing. “Mr. Hegseth’s remarks are a disgrace to this process and to the dignity of the Senate. That being said, it’s not the worst thing I’ve been accused of this year.”
The hearing continued for hours, with Hegseth occasionally weaving barbs about Schiff into his responses to policy questions. At one point, Sen. Elizabeth Warren tried to steer the conversation back to serious topics, only for Hegseth to reply, “Serious? You’re sitting next to the guy whose nickname in college was ‘Bug Eyes McFilibuster.’”
Though the hearing was contentious, political analysts agree on one thing: Hegseth’s unapologetic style has set a new tone for Senate confirmations. As for Schiff, rumors are swirling that he may file a formal complaint—or possibly just avoid mirrors for a while.
In the meantime, Hegseth appears to be enjoying his moment in the spotlight. As he left the chamber, reporters overheard him joking, “If Adam Schiff wants to criticize me, he can do it from wherever Pelosi keeps his leash.”
Stay tuned for updates as this story—and the tension in D.C.—continues to unfold.
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