Ex-Fox News host floats 'slam dunk' pick for Trump if Pentagon chief pick fails

A former Fox News host suggested an idea Tuesday night on CNN to President-elect Donald Trump, should Trump's embattled nomination for Pentagon chief fall through.

Trump tapped Pete Hegseth, a Fox News weekend co-host, for defense secretary. Hegseth's selection faced intense scrutiny over his qualifications, and later over revelations that he was accused in 2017 of rape. On Tuesday, a report surfaced that his Fox News colleagues smelled alcohol on him before going on the air more than a dozen times.

Journalist Gretchen Carlson told CNN anchor Anderson Cooper that she "can't believe" Hegseth's nomination would "ever go to a hearing."

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"Why would Pete Hegseth put himself in this situation?" she asked. "And the only answer that I can come up with is that when you work at Fox it's kind of like a bubble. And maybe he just felt like none of this would ever come out."

She noted Trump has also been repeatedly accused of sexual misconduct — and as of yet has not faced "repercussions."

Carlson later suggested, "Who should be the pick."

"That is Sen. Joni Ernst," said Carlson, noting the Iowa Republican has "reservations" about Hegseth. "She's a veteran. She's a sexual assault survivor. And she has a history of voting against people who have sexual misconduct allegations against them. She would be a slam-dunk victory for President Trump. And I've heard through the grapevine that she's No. 2 on the list."

Ernst is a member of the Armed Services Committee and has indicated she plans to thoroughly question him about accusations of alcohol abuse and mistreatment of women, as well as financial mismanagement.

"We're just going to have a really frank and thorough conversation," Ernst told NBC News.

Watch the clip below or at this link.