The mother of Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s embattled nominee for defense secretary, defended her son in an appearance on Fox News Wednesday morning after reporting on an email she sent to her son years earlier and in which she accused him of being a “woman abuser.”

Penelope Hegseth, appearing on “Fox & Friends” Wednesday morning, said her son and his then-wife were going through a “very difficult divorce” when she wrote the email in 2018, noting that she “in Haste” and with a lot of time I wrote “deep feelings.”

“I wrote this out of love,” she said. “And about two hours later I retracted it with an apology email, but no one saw it.”

Hegseth’s mother said in the email published by The New York Times that she was writing “on behalf of all women (and I know there are many) who have abused you in some way” and told her son to “Get help and take it.” an honest look at yourself.”

But Hegseth’s mother said she would appear on Fox on Wednesday to “tell the truth” to the American people and Republican senators on the Hill – “especially our female senators.”

Hegseth, a former co-host of “Fox & Friends” Weekend, met with Republican senators on Capitol Hill this week and before the Thanksgiving break to drum up support as the chamber prepares to confirm Mr Trump intended Cabinet and the administration to prepare nominations early next year. Meanwhile, Hegseth faced with accusations in a series of negative stories published in recent days about sexual misconduct, financial mismanagement at veterans charities, repeated drunkenness and infidelity. Hegseth has rejected the allegations.

Hegseth’s mother encouraged senators to “listen to Pete” and pointed out that one reason she appeared on Fox was to “discredit the media.” She added that she called Fox on Tuesday and said she wanted to speak out on the issue, noting, “I would do anything for my son.”

Trump picked the 44-year-old Army veteran, who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, for the top Pentagon job last month. He has faced intense scrutiny since then, and amid that scrutiny, Trump is considering selecting Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis as his nominee for defense secretary possibly replace three sources familiar with the transition told CBS News on Tuesday evening that Hegseth was in distress.

Hegseth insisted Wednesday that he would not withdraw his name from consideration. He wouldn’t be the first Trump nominee to withdraw: Former Rep. Matt Gaetz, who was originally chosen by Trump to be attorney general, dropped out just days after he was chosen for the role.

“Why should I back down?” Hegseth told CBS News. “I’ve always been a fighter. I am there for the fighters. This is personal and passionate to me.”

Hegseth’s mother repeatedly defended her son during Wednesday’s appearance, saying he has changed and noting, “If we all went back seven years, we would realize that maybe we are not the people we are today.”

Hegseth’s mother thanked Trump for his “belief” in her son.

“Trump knows Pete,” she said. “And he knows today’s Pete.”

Nikole Killion contributed to this report.