Hegseth weighs 2028 presidential run - NBC News
Pete Hegseth (photo: Getty Images)
Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth has privately discussed the possibility of running for US president in 2028, potentially adding another candidate to the contest for the future of the MAGA movement, reports NBC News.
According to sources, Hegseth has discussed the idea with his wife, friends, and colleagues. The conversations have taken place over the past several months. However, the Pentagon has denied such information.
A department spokesperson said that Secretary Hegseth was not running for president and that his top priority was leading the Pentagon, adding that any other speculation was nonsense.
Interest in Hegseth's political ambitions grew in August following his trip to the Iowa State Fair, where he campaigned on behalf of Republican candidate Zach Nunn.
NBC notes that Iowa has long played a significant role in presidential politics as one of the early stages of the Republican nominating process, making the visit a point of interest for political insiders.
One Republican Party official involved in midterm preparations said Hegseth enjoys strong support among male voters and core Republican constituencies.
According to NBC, a Hegseth candidacy could put him in direct competition with other senior figures in the Trump administration widely seen as potential 2028 contenders, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
However, the network notes that Hegseth would enter any presidential race carrying significant political vulnerabilities. He has faced criticism over his handling of the war with Iran, as well as the Signalgate scandal that erupted last year.
A White House official aligned with Trump said Hegseth remains popular among MAGA supporters, but added that his future prospects would largely depend on his performance as Pentagon chief.
Trump's successors
President Donald Trump recently claimed to have won the US presidential election three times (though in reality he has won twice), before adding that he intends to do so a fourth time. The remarks came during a dinner with journalists, when he was in good spirits and joking.
Meanwhile, media have previously reported that Trump has been increasingly discussing with his advisers the question of who might succeed him in the 2028 presidential election.
At the time, outlets suggested that Vice President JD Vance or Secretary of State Marco Rubio could be the strongest candidates.
In May, it emerged that Trump himself was not entirely convinced that Vance possessed the necessary qualities to become president.
