Financial reports show the potential defense secretary’s pay from past speaking and writing, some of which provided fodder for senators during his confirmation hearing.

Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s choice to run the Pentagon, earned more than $6 million over the last two years thanks to income as a Fox News host, book royalties and speaking fees, according to his financial disclosure statement.

Hegseth delivered 41 paid speeches across the country over the last two years, earning $900,000 along the way.

Pete Hegseth has dismissed the role of women in the military in past interviews and in his own writing. “I’m straight up just saying we should not have women in combat roles,” Hegseth said during a November appearance on “The Shawn Ryan Show” podcast.

Pete Hegseth said he now supports women serving in combat roles so long as they meet the same standards as men -- a policy the military has had for nearly a decade.

New Hampshire Sen. Jeanne Shaheen pressed Pete Hegseth during his confirmation hearing on conflicting statements he made in his book and then ahead of his hearing on women in the military.

Why should women in our military, if you were the Secretary of Defense, believe that they would have a fair shot and an equal opportunity to rise through the ranks?”

Donald Trump's pick for Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth, is facing stiff criticism from Democrats—but most Republicans back him.

Hegseth, 44, served in the infantry and was deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay. He was awarded two Bronze Stars and a Combat Infantryman Badge.