An anti-woke super PAC is launching a seven-figure ad blitz in five states to support President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of the Department of Defense Pete Hegseth, Breitbart News has learned.
American Leadership PAC’s $1 million buy will reach constituents in Alaska, North Carolina, Louisiana, South Dakota, and Utah via text, television, and radio, urging them to contact their senators to back Hegseth.
The ads will run from Friday, January 10, through next week. Hegseth is set to meet with the U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services on Tuesday for a confirmation hearing on his nomination.
“Pete Hegseth is a warrior against wokeness in our military and will make an excellent Defense Secretary,” a spokesman for the group told Breitbart News. “It’s vital that Senate Republicans stand with President Trump and vote to confirm Pete. We will do everything in our power to help him get across the finish line.”
The television ad, “Make Our Military Great Again,” will run in 30-second slots on Fox News Channel statewide in the five states, while the radio ads, which run 60 seconds, will play on conservative talk radio stations.
“Our military faces a crisis: recruitment down, morale weak, our leaders more focused on going woke than killing terrorists and defending America,” a narrator says in the video advertisement.
“President Trump nominated Pete Hegseth as secretary of Defense to change things, ban woke nonsense from our armed forces, and make our soldiers proud to serve,” the ad continues. “Call your senator, tell them: stand with Trump, confirm Pete Hegseth, and make our military great again.”
The ads do not single out any senator by name. However, a source with the American Leadership PAC noted that while plans to call out senators individually in a more aggressive fashion are not currently in the works, this could change if deemed necessary.
Some senators from these states are already supporting Hegseth or have reported positive meetings. For reference, the senators from each state are as follows.
Alaska:
- Sen. Lisa Murkowksi (R)
- Sen. Dan Sullivan (R)
North Carolina:
- Sen. Ted Budd (R)
- Sen. Thom Tillis (R)
Louisiana:
- Sen. Bill Cassidy (R)
- Sen. John Kennedy (R)
South Dakota:
- Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R)
- Sen. Mike Rounds (R)
Utah:
- Sen. John Curtis (R)
- Sen. Mike Lee (R)
Indications are that many of the sitdowns have been positive:
Strong leadership is essential. In the DoD, and in the Senate. @SenJohnThune provided indispensable guidance this morning, and I'm prepared to keep up the fight for our warfighters. pic.twitter.com/nVYLHNkv2R
— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) December 4, 2024
Had a productive meeting with @SenTedBuddNC discussing priorities like the DoD recruitment crisis, acquisition reform, and the defense of our homeland. Thankful for the Senator's advice in this process. pic.twitter.com/j9dBP3ZXqS
— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) December 3, 2024
Thank you @SenBillCassidy for your time and counsel today. Your passion for our warfighters and Louisiana's strategic importance were evident. pic.twitter.com/PpaE3bGra8
— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) December 11, 2024
Pete Hegseth meets with Sen. John Kennedy .... pic.twitter.com/rDhq67rOTV
— Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) December 17, 2024
Grateful to wrap our day with @SenMikeLee -- appreciate his steadfast support. He fittingly ended the meeting in prayer, which we deeply appreciate. 🇺🇸🙏 pic.twitter.com/JP2zqq6Hu2
— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) December 9, 2024
Post-Hegseth meeting, Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) praises DoD Sec nom but says "he's got more work to do."
— Ramsey Touchberry (@ramsberry1) December 5, 2024
"Pete Hegseth went a long way today, in my opinion, in getting my full support. But I want him to be able to answer, in front of everybody else, the questions that are there." pic.twitter.com/0deoPJgEvq
I had a productive meeting with SecDef nominee @PeteHegseth today. We focused on the importance of restoring lethality and warfighting as the core mission at the Pentagon as well as the strategic importance of Alaska. I’m confident Pete will work to refocus our military on… pic.twitter.com/E1FgBCMKhh
— Sen. Dan Sullivan (@SenDanSullivan) December 3, 2024
Thune, who spoke glowingly of Hegseth after their meeting, reportedly told Trump in a private conversation recently that he believes Hegseth will have the votes to be confirmed.
The American Leadership PAC is committed to ending wokeism both in the private sector and government and has backed America First conservative candidates like Sen. Jim Banks (R-IN) and Rep. Brian Jack (R-GA).