Pete Hegseth Donates $12.9 Million to Build Homeless Support Centers in Міnnеapolis – “No One Should Have to Sleep Outside in That Kind of Cold”

In a move that stunned fans, colleagues, and the entire nаtіоn, Fox News host Pete Hegseth has announced he is donating his entire $12.9 million bonus and sponsorship earnings to a cause that has long been close to his heart – building homeless support centers in Міnnеаpolis, the city where he grew up.

The ambitious initiative aims to create 150 permanent housing units and 300 shelter beds for people experiencing homelessness in Minnesota, a state where winters are among the harshest in North America.
Hegseth, best known for his passionate political commentary and military service, stood at the podium of a packed press conference in downtown Minneapolis earlier today, visibly emotional as he explained the deeply personal reason behind his decision.

“I’ve seen people trying to survive the brutal Minnesota winters without a roof over their heads,” Hegseth said, pausing to collect himself. “I promised myself years ago that if I ever had the chance, I’d step up. And today, I can finally do that. No one should have to sleep outside in that kind of cold.”

For Hegseth, this isn’t just about charity – it’s about dignity, compassion, and taking real action where it matters most. His donation will fully fund the first phase of the Minneapolis Shelter & Hope Initiative, a multi-year project partnering with local nоn-profits, housing authorities, and faith-based organizations to tackle homelessness from multiple angles: housing, job training, mental health services, and addiction recovery programs.

A Personal Соnnесtіоn

Hegseth revealed that the decision wasn’t sudden. Growing up in Forest Lake, Minnesota, he often saw people sleeping in cars or huddled under overpasses during snowstorms. As a teenager, he volunteered occasionally at soup kitchens, but those brief moments left a lasting impression.

“Back then, I thought, ‘Why isn’t someone doing something about this?” he said. “I didn’t realize that one day, that ‘someone’ might have to be me.”

His military service further deepened his empathy. While deployed overseas, he witnessed firsthand the devastation of war and displacement. He says those experiences taught him that safety and shelter are basic human needs, not privileges.

“When I came home, I saw a different kind of battlefield – one where people were fighting just to make it through the night,” Hegseth reflected. “It hit me that you don’t need to be in a war zone to lose everything.”

Transforming Words Into Action

The $12.9 million donation a combination of his annual bonus, endorsement deals, and speaking fees will cover the land purchase, construction costs, and staffing for two major homeless support centers. Each center will include:

Emergency shelter beds for immediate needs

Private transitional housing units for families and individuals working toward stability

On-site counseling and addiction treatment programs

Job skills workshops to help residents re-enter the workforce

A community kitchen serving free daily meals

Hegseth emphasized that the project is designed not only to house people temporarily but to break the cycle of homelessness.

“This isn’t just about getting people through one winter,” he said. “It’s about giving them the tools and support to never end up back on the streets.”

Community Response

The announcement was met with overwhelming support. Міnnеapolis Mayor Jacob Frey praised the move as “a shining example of what it means to give back,” calling Hegseth’s contribution “transformational.”

Local charities, many of which have struggled with funding shortages in recent years, say the impact could be life-changing.

“Homelessness in Minneapolis has been on the rise, and resources are stretched thin,” said Mary Jensen, director of the non-profit ShelterWorks. “Pete’s donation will help fill critical gaps but more than that, it sends a message that high-profile figures can and should lead by example.”

Even some of Hegseth’s critics have acknowledged the generosity of the gesture. Social media was flooded with posts from people across the political spectrum commending his actions. One user wrote: “We may not always agree with Pete, but this is how you use influence for good.”

Beyond the Headlines

Hegseth made it clear that this is not a one-time act. He has pledged ongoing personal involvement, from overseeing construction to volunteering at the centers once they open.
“I’m not just cutting a check and walking away,” he said. “This is my community. These are my people. And I want to be part of the solution for as long as I can.”
He also issued a challenge to other public figures and wealthy individuals to invest in solutions for homelessness, urging them to “look in their own backyards” for where help is most needed.

“This isn’t about politics,” he insisted. “It’s about humanity. Cold doesn’t care who you voted for. Hunger doesn’t care what you believe. We can fight about a thousand other things, but when someone is freezing to death on the street, we should all be on the same side.”

A Winter Deadline

Construction on the first shelter is set to begin within the next two months, with an ambitious goal of opening before the next Minnesota winter. Hegseth says the timeline is aggressive but necessary.

“Every day we wait is another day someone might not make it,” he said. “That’s not acceptable to me.”

As he left the press conference, surrounded by volunteers, veterans, and community leaders, it was clear that Pete Hegseth’s donation was more than just a financial gift it was a call to action.

Whether this effort sparks a broader movement remains to be seen, but for hundreds of Minneapolis residents facing the harsh reality of homelessness, the promise of a warm bed and a second chance is already on the horizon.

And for Hegseth, that’s the only return on investment he’s looking for.

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