Fact Check: Did Pete Hegseth once say he had not washed his hands in 10 years?

Media Bias Fact Check (MBFC) publishes daily vetted fact checks from verified IFCN-approved sources. Each claim is independently reviewed for accuracy and context.


Claimant: Social Media


Claim: Pete Hegseth once said he had not washed his hands in 10 years because he does not believe in germs.


Rating: TRUE


Explanation: Hegseth made the remark during a 2019 Fox & Friends appearance, saying he had not washed his hands and that germs are “not a real thing.” He later told USA Today the comment was a joke.


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Date: 06/26/2026


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Last Updated on June 26, 2026 by Media Bias Fact Check