Fox News’ Pete Hegseth, co-host of “Fox & Friends,” hit a West Point drummer with an axe during a June 14 segment of the show, Mediaite reported on Monday.
The drummer who was hit, Jeff Prosperie of West Point’s Hellcats marching band, appeared on the show to commemorate Flag Day and the 240th birthday of the U.S. Army.
In a Saturday Facebook post, Prosperie revealed that he had been hit by a flying axe that missed its target after being thrown by Hegseth.
During the segment where the incident occurred, Hegseth can be seen recoiling and although Fox News didn’t air the actual accident, Prosperie can be seen grabbing his arm as he paces behind the other drummers on camera.
Prosperie’s post, which had video of the incident, included this caption:
I was hit by an axe while performing a drum solo live on National TV…..words I never imagined saying! This happened last Sunday and I have been reluctant to post but starting to receive inquiries from concerned family and friends. I am thankful to God that the double sided blade only hit broadside on the outer elbow with significant impact and a couple of cuts as it fell along my wrist. It could have been much worse or fatal. Focusing on full physical and emotional recovery.
Prosperie commented on his post with additional details about the incident.
Jeff Prosperie Pat, we were doing commercial bumps on Fox and Friends Sunday morning celebrating the Army’s 240th birthday and flag day. My leadership told me they were told there would be no axe throwing. I think the anchor person went rogue and decided to throw it. He had only thrown it once before in practice for an upcoming segment and they told him to throw it with more force. The vid you see is edited showing the Televised portion of the throw and then edited to a portion that was taken on someone’s phone of us being videoed. The part that was actually televised showed the overthrown axe and then segued to us for the drum solo bump, only showing me walking behind the section holding my arm. The actual part where the axe hit me was not televised. Poor decision, obvious negligence, should not have happened, could have been avoided. When shooting or throwing, always know what is behind your target. Basic safety rule. I’m feeling blessed on Father’s day with my 5 children, alive, and with all limbs.
Prosperie, who was interviewed by Hegseth shortly after the accident, didn’t say whether he was compensated after the incident or whether he had plans to bring a suit against Fox News.
Mediaite reached out to both Prosperie and Fox News but didn’t receive a response.
