Stomach-turning moment — Ainsley Earhardt ruthlessly exposes Pete Hegseth’s floor-snacking habit and America can’t deal. Viewers recoil as the Fox News host drops a bomb on live TV — fans erupt, social media explodes, and no one’s looking at him the same way again…

While discussing the “five-second rule” on Wednesday, Fox News host Ainsley Earhardt revealed that former colleague Pete Hegseth ate a bagel with cream cheese after dropping it on the floor.

Pete Hegseth; Ainsley Earhardt

Republican President Donald Trump’s Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, is having his secrets exposed by his former Fox News coworkers. After stories of his excessive drinking were shared by Fox personnel, now his food safety practices are being shared.

On Wednesday, during Fox News’ Outnumbered, the hosts discussed the so-called “five-second rule” for food. The “rule” relates to eating food after it’s been dropped on the floor.

The latest sean hannity, ainsley earhardt engaged news, videos & comments | NewsBreak

The segment was prompted by recent scientific findings about how long it takes for bacteria to begin contaminating food—which is under one second—after it’s dropped on the floor. Panelists then talked about cleanliness, germs, and parenting philosophies.

At one point, Fox host Joe Concha dropped a peeled banana—presumably on the studio floor—then he counted to five, picked it up, and took a big bite. His cohosts expressed disgust, but then Earhardt decided to share an anecdote about Hegseth.

Ainsley Earhardt | Mediaite - Part 5

Earhardt revealed:

“Pete Hegseth would have a bagel with cream cheese. He would drop it, it would land upside down, the cream cheese on the floor, and he would pick it up.”

“I’m like, ‘Wait, is there any hair on there? It is so gross, and he would just pop it in his mouth’.”

You can see the clip here:

Earhardt: Pete Hegseth would have a bagel with cream cheese, drop it, it would land upside down, cream cheese on the floor.. It was so gross, and he would just pop it in his mouth. pic.twitter.com/TwHoIfmodB

— Acyn (@Acyn) April 16, 2025

The Fox hosts also remembered when Hegseth said during a 2019 Fox & Friends segment that he never washes his hands.

Social Media Sickened Over Fox News Host's Absolutely 'Gross' Pete Hegseth Story

Hegseth said:

“Really, I don’t really wash my hands, ever. I inoculate myself.”

“It’s just not—germs are not a real thing. I can’t see them, therefore they’re not real.”

After being pretty universally called out for his poor hygiene, Hegseth later claimed it was just a joke.

People found Hegseth’s food safety practices as gross as his lack of personal hygiene.

There’s something seriously off about the Fox folks.

— Andria Gaskin (@andriagaskin.bsky.social) April 17, 2025 at 6:49 PM

We need a plan b if Hegseth gets sick and dies

— Peter Schmidt (@PeterSc8837721) April 18, 2025

Newly defined “Everything Bagel” just dropped.

— dandyrooney.bsky.social (@dandyrooney.bsky.social) April 17, 2025 at 9:29 PM

Bagel with hair + dust cream cheese 🤮

— Politics Sloth 🧦🌐🇬🇷🇺🇸 (#1 reply guy) (@SockDemFan) April 16, 2025

While some found other habits Hegseth has more troubling.

Hahaha yea and he assaulted women all the time lol what a goof! And it’s soooo Pete to compromise national security 😆

— itchybitchy.bsky.social (@itchybitchy.bsky.social) April 17, 2025 at 6:17 PM

The biggest threat for people eating off the floor is foodborne illnesses like norovirus, Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, and more.

@LarryBoorstein/X

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year in the United States approximately 76 million people become ill from contaminated food, 325,000 require hospitalization, and 5,000 die.

Maybe Hegseth should consider abstaining from floor food.