Meghan McCain is coming to Pete Buttigieg’s defense after the former Transportation Secretary revealed that an anonymous false abuse allegation triggered a child welfare investigation involving his young children. The former “View” co-host condemned what she described as “dirty, cruel politics” after learning that Buttigieg and his family were forced to endure a 24-hour investigation stemming from claims authorities ultimately found to be unsubstantiated.
Meghan McCain Says Pete Buttigieg’s Children Should Never Have Been Involved
McCain reacted to the news on social media shortly after Buttigieg detailed the ordeal in a lengthy Substack post.
“Absolutely horrified at what happened to @PeteButtegieg and his family,” McCain wrote via X. “I am so sick of dirty, cruel politics and am truly deeply upset by the involvement of his children. It is wildly f-cked up.”
Her comments quickly gained attention given the political differences between the two figures, with McCain choosing to focus on the impact the situation had on Buttigieg’s family rather than partisan politics.
Pete Buttigieg Described The Investigation As One Of The ‘Darkest Hours’ Of His Life
According to Buttigieg, the situation began when child protective services informed him that an allegation had been made involving his 4-year-old twins, Penelope and Gus. “Someone decided to hurt our family this week,” he wrote.
The former presidential candidate said he was instructed not to be alone with his children while authorities conducted interviews and reviewed the claim. “The 24 hours until they returned are among the darkest hours of my life.”
He explained that he and his husband, Chasten Buttigieg, temporarily left the children with family members while the investigation proceeded.
Authorities Quickly Determined The Allegations Were Unfounded
Following interviews and a review of the claims, authorities reportedly informed Buttigieg that the accusation originated from an anonymous caller. According to Buttigieg, the caller alleged that a woman had claimed to meet him years earlier at a conference in Alabama, where he supposedly confessed to violent crimes.
The former Transportation Secretary said investigators quickly determined key details of the story did not add up, including the fact that he had never been to the location where the alleged encounter supposedly occurred.
Neither child protective services nor law enforcement found evidence supporting the allegation, allowing the case to be closed without further action.
Still, Buttigieg said the experience left a lasting impact on his family. “Now, our family is left to deal with the aftermath,” he wrote. “Even though the accusation was absurdly and obviously false, and was promptly rejected by law enforcement, I still worry about the harm it has done.”
Buttigieg’s revelation prompted an outpouring of support from elected officials across the political spectrum, many of whom condemned the false allegations and the impact they had on his family.
Politicians Across Party Lines Rallied Around Pete Buttigieg
California Governor Gavin Newsom was among the first to speak out, calling the situation “disgusting.”
“This is so disgusting and beyond the pale,” Newsom wrote on X. “Families should be off limits. Thinking of you, Chasten, and your children.”
U.S. Representative Hillary Scholten also voiced her support for the former Transportation Secretary, arguing that weaponizing child welfare systems for political purposes can have broader consequences.
“What happened to @PeteButtigieg and his family is deeply disturbing and wrong,” Scholten wrote. “No family should have to experience this, and false reports only undermine the work of protecting children who truly need help.”
She continued, “Sending my love and prayers to Pete, @Chasten, and their children, and I fervently pledge to get politics off this dangerous path.”
Meghan McCain Previously Called For Jimmy Kimmel To Be Taken ‘Off Air’
McCain has also made headlines in recent weeks for her criticism of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, one of President Donald Trump’s most vocal television critics. The conservative commentator blasted Kimmel after he mocked former reality star and one-time Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt, using social media to unleash a scathing response.
“Jimmy Kimmel is a mean, heartless bastard and no amount of on air crying will convince me or anyone else otherwise,” McCain wrote. “The day he is off air will be a better day for the country.”