Is the third time really the charm for Pete Hegseth? Recent images of the television personality alongside his third wife, Jennifer Rauchet, suggest otherwise. Descriptors like “weathered” or “dusty” come to mind, especially considering the turbulent circumstances leading up to their marriage. Rumors have swirled around their relationship, adding an awkward air that rivals even the likes of Mike and Kelly Johnson. Such an atmosphere is no small feat to achieve.

Their relationship is steeped in controversy, having blossomed while both were colleagues at Fox News. According to Brian Stelter’s book, “Network of Lies: The Epic Saga of Fox News, Donald Trump, and the Battle for American Democracy,” Rauchet became pregnant with Hegseth’s child in 2016 while he was still married to his second wife. This event catapulted Hegseth to the top of the list of Fox News figures with scandal-laden personal lives, revealing the shadier aspects of his story.

At the time, Rauchet was also married. Eventually, the two tied the knot in 2019, merging their families into a blended household of seven children, including their daughter. This family size even surpasses that of the Johnsons by two. However, when Donald Trump nominated Hegseth as Secretary of Defense in November 2024, the couple faced intense public scrutiny. Hegseth’s reputation was marred by allegations ranging from sexual assault and alcoholism to claims by his mother accusing him of abusive behavior towards women. Such public exposure may indeed leave the couple appearing tired and stressed.

In an attempt to present a united front amid swirling accusations, Jennifer Rauchet has been a constant presence by Hegseth’s side, including during his Senate confirmation hearing on January 14. Despite their efforts, neither appeared particularly enthusiastic or energetic. The situation further deteriorated when Hegseth struggled to recall the names of his seven children before the Senate Armed Services Committee, adding fuel to the fire of public spectacle.

Bring-your-wife-to-work day, every day?! In the wake of all of the cheating, sexual assault, and abuse allegations surrounding her hubby, Pete Hegseth, Jennifer Rauchet made it a point to stand by her man literally everywhere he went, including his Senate confirmation hearing on January 14. It’s safe to say that neither of them looked especially bright-eyed, bushy-tailed, or especially thrilled to be there. Things only got worse when the father of seven appeared to have trouble rattling off the kids’ names to the Senate Armed Services Committee. Ruh-roh.

I scream, you scream, we all scream for … a broken arm?! In August 2025, things looked downright bleak when Pete Hegseth and Jennifer Rauchet were caught looking long-faced while having ice cream together at Ben & Jerry’s in Washington, D.C., as evidenced in photos obtained by Getty Images. (We’re willing to bet Hegseth’s flavor of choice was the Americone Dream.) But what made the ice cream outing look particularly abysmal was the all-new accessory Rauchet was rocking: a mysterious sling on her right arm. Unfortunately, neither Hegseth nor Rauchet has publicly discussed the details surrounding Rauchet’s injury. The world may never know.

On September 11, both Pete Hegseth and Jennifer Rauchet appeared a little worse for wear and even unrecognizable as they attended an event at the Pentagon in remembrance of the anniversary of the tragic terrorist attacks. Later, Rauchet took to Instagram to commemorate the occasion, and one user in the comments section made it clear they didn’t even recognize her. “Who is that lady walking with Pete?!?” the Instagrammer asked.

On November 20, Jennifer Rauchet took to Instagram to capture the married couple sharing a night out at — you guessed it — the White House. How … romantic? “Lovely evening enjoying the beautiful state dinner put on by our amazing @flotus,” she wrote in the caption of the post along with an American flag. But if we’re being honest, they didn’t look like a couple happy to “finally” be out and about sans their large-and-in-charge brood. Instead, they just looked drained and defeated. (Still not as tired as that dusty “We The People” white clutch Rauchet was carrying, though.)