Medieval Tattoos and Troubled Past Complicate Hegseth's Defense Secretary Nomination
Medieval-era tattoos and controversial incidents put the future of the US Secretary of Defense position in doubt
November 17, 2024, 7:03 pm

Medieval Tattoos and Troubled Past Complicate Hegseth's Defense Secretary Nomination

بيت هيجسيث \ تعبيرية \ متداولة

The wave of criticism and questions continues regarding President Donald Trump's choice of former Fox News host Pete Hegseth for the Defense Secretary position.

Hegseth's lawyer began acknowledging payments made to a woman who accused him of sexual assault at a hotel in Monterey, California, as part of a deal to cover up their meeting, despite confirming the encounter was consensual, according to the Washington Post.

Attorney Timothy Parlatore stated that his client "was clearly intoxicated" when the incident occurred years ago. Parlatore added that his client responded to the payment request fearing her accusations would lead to his "immediate dismissal from Fox" where he worked as a program host.

The statement coincided with a detailed memo from an anonymous woman reaching Trump's campaign team this week, accusing the 44-year-old Defense Secretary nominee of raping a woman in her thirties in his room after drinking at the hotel bar.

The thrice-married former soldier was investigated in a sexual assault case in 2017, but no formal charges were filed after the anonymous woman filed a police complaint.

Hegseth's confirmation faces additional obstacles related to his limited experience and tattoos associated with extremist groups, especially since he needs Senate approval to take charge of the Pentagon and oversee 3.4 million employees.

These tattoos previously led to his exclusion from the National Guard unit participating in President Joe Biden's inauguration in 2020.

Hegseth revealed during a podcast episode with Sean Ryan early this month that one of his military colleagues reported him for suspected white nationalism due to his tattoos, highlighting that it concerned a "Jerusalem Cross" tattoo from medieval times.

His body also bears the phrase "Deus Vult" (God wills it) used by Crusaders in the Middle Ages. Despite white supremacists and neo-Nazis recently adopting medieval European symbols and slogans, Hegseth emphasized that his tattoos only reflect his faith.

The author of "American Crusade" (2020) affirmed that "the Jerusalem Cross is nothing more than a Christian symbol." Social media users recently shared a video showing him carrying medieval weapons, and he appeared in television footage participating in an axe-throwing competition, where he missed the target and hit a passerby who miraculously survived.

The former forty-something host holds degrees from prestigious universities, including Princeton and a master's from Harvard, and previously hosted "Fox & Friends Weekend" on Fox News.

Levant-Agencies

In Beirut.. Iranian Ambassador's Statements Reveal Serious Security Breaches Airstrike on Ras al-Nabaa Claims Life of Hezbollah Media Official

BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.