A new report out Tuesday alleged that President-elect Donald Trump may be looking to replace Pete Hegseth as his pick to lead the Pentagon.
Sources “familiar with discussions” told The Wall Street Journal that Trump is considering his one-time presidential rival, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, as his defense secretary nominee instead. The report comes amid continuing scrutiny over Hegseth’s personal life.
The Army veteran and former Fox News host is under the microscope over allegations of sexual misconduct which he and his lawyers denied as false.
“DeSantis, who served as a Navy lawyer in Iraq and the Guantanamo Bay detention facility, was on an earlier list of potential defense secretary candidates that transition officials presented to the president. Trump ultimately went with Hegseth,” WSJ reported.
Trump has reportedly been considering DeSantis among a short list of alternatives to Hegseth and was seen with the GOP governor Tuesday during a memorial service in Palm Beach County, Fla. for fallen law enforcement officers.
“Trump allies increasingly think Hegseth may not survive further scrutiny, according to people close to the president-elect’s team, which considers the next 48 hours to be crucial to his fate,” WSJ reported, noting how picking DeSantis could have major implications for the state of Florida where Trump currently resides.
“The discussions are in their early stages, one of the people said, adding that Trump has floated DeSantis’s name in casual conversations with guests at Mar-a-Lago, his private Florida club,” the outlet added. “Some in Trump’s orbit strongly dislike DeSantis, and that could scuttle any chance he may have of replacing Hegseth. But if DeSantis were to get the job, it could have major implications for Florida politics, leading to a scramble among a bench of ambitious Republican politicians.”
The report generated immediate relations on social media where the veracity of the claims was debated.
DeSantis is better off sticking to Florida.
— Barefoot Pregnant (@usuallypregnant) December 4, 2024
I have a very solid source with direct knowledge telling me the opposite – that Hegseth simply doesn’t have the votes, and that Governor DeSantis is being very seriously considered to replace him as the Secretary of Defense nominee https://t.co/c2yz6t3FE1
— Will Chamberlain (@willchamberlain) December 4, 2024
Ron DeSantis would make an incredible Defense Secretary, but I’m still on the Pete Hegseth train.
The WSJ claim is notable, but I won’t believe it until I see it from other sources who are not hell-bent on creating friction for the Trump Administration.
For now, it’s just bait.
— Dustin Grage (@GrageDustin) December 4, 2024
Don’t trust the media’s word. They lied to us before even before Trump started to announce nominations. Remember that.
Best to hear from our President himself.
— Real Phil Jones ™🦅🇺🇸 (@RealPJones) December 4, 2024
Some X users thought the idea of DeSantis running the Pentagon would be a great move.
Ron DeSantis is a military vet and the best governor in America.
He would be the perfect choice to be Secretary of Defense. pic.twitter.com/B4Om2Kero6
— Cryptid Politics (pro-DeSantis) 🇺🇸🐊 (@CryptidPolitics) December 4, 2024
According to Marc Caputo he wanted the AG position and has been talking to Trump about a position since June. Maybe it is the only way that he can see being a viable candidate in 2028.
— Melanie (@mheinz16) December 4, 2024
Others pointed out well-grounded fears of losing the strong GOP governor in Florida, which has already seen its legislature disrupted by Trump’s Cabinet picks. Though former Rep. Matt Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration for attorney general, he stepped down as a Florida congressman. Trump also tapped Sen. Marco Rubio as secretary of state and Rep. Mike Waltz to serve as national security advisor.
RDS is such a great Governor that i think he is better served there. It sux the @SenateGOP has no fkn balls to confirm the best man for the job, Pete Hegseth.
— Stacy (@BoyMomStacy) December 4, 2024
DeSantis as the governor shows the model governor that the rest of the states should follow.
He should stay governor and continue his good work there.
— TeslaSkyz (@TeslaSkyz) December 4, 2024
DeSantis is better off sticking to Florida.
— Barefoot Pregnant (@usuallypregnant) December 4, 2024
Its more about Florida then any thing… Keep him where hes doing a good job.
— Joe Zop (@joe_zop) December 4, 2024
I think the report which does not identify the source is hogwash. It is a psyop being peddled by the military industrial complex and establishment “republicans” to derail Hegseth’s nomination and if they are successful, their next target will be Kash. If they are allowed to derail Hegseth, they will do this to every nominee in every post they think will be a threat to their kingdom. The goal is to not allow President Trump to have the administration he needs to do the job he was elected to do.