Trump addresses defense secretary nominee's fate amid news he's considering Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis

Max Greenwood, Miami Herald on Dec 6, 2024

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President-elect Donald Trump is publicly doubling down on his support for his defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth even as he weighs potential alternatives for the job, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

In a post on his social media site Truth Social on Friday, Trump insisted that Hegseth is “doing very well” in his push to win Senate confirmation for the top Pentagon job. Trump said his support for the Fox News host is stronger than media reports indicate despite growing scrutiny over Hegseth’s past conduct, including allegations of alcohol abuse and sexual assault.

“He was a great student — Princeton/Harvard educated — with a Military state of mind. He will be a fantastic, high energy, Secretary of Defense Defense, one who leads with charisma and skill,” Trump wrote. “Pete is a WINNER, and there is nothing that can be done to change that!!!”

The social media post offered Trump’s first public comments on Hegseth’s fate since news emerged this week that he was weighing whether to back away from the embattled nominee and tap DeSantis — or someone else — for defense secretary in his place. The president-elect reportedly discussed the matter with DeSantis this week at a memorial service for three Florida sheriff’s deputies who were killed in a car crash.

Neither Trump’s transition team or DeSantis’ office have openly commented on the matter, but people familiar with the situation told the Miami Herald this week that Trump was seriously considering DeSantis to lead the Pentagon.

Politico reported on Thursday that DeSantis will attend the annual Army-Navy football game with Trump next week.

DeSantis, a former Navy lawyer who has served as Florida governor since 2019, has had a rocky relationship with Trump, at times. During his first bid for governor, he ran as a staunch ally of Trump. But that alliance crumbled last year as Trump and DeSantis fought for the Republican presidential nomination.

After DeSantis exited the presidential contest in January, he and Trump made amends and DeSantis helped raise money for Trump’s campaign. Currently, the governor is weighing whom to appoint to replace Trump’s secretary of state pick, Marco Rubio, when he leaves the U.S. Senate — a job Trump’s daughter-in-law covets.

Hegseth has indicated that he does not intend to back down from the defense secretary nomination. He’s met with senators on Capitol Hill in recent days and has insisted that he still has Trump’s full support. He has denied the sexual assault allegation against him, and has sought to reassure wary senators about his nomination.