Trump is floating DeSantis as a possible defense secretary if Hegseth fails

President-elect Donald Trump is considering appointing Gov. Florida’s Ron DeSantis as defense secretary to replace Pete Hegseth, Trump’s current pick to lead the Pentagon, multiple sources confirm to Fox News.

DeSantis, Trump’s bitter rival last year and earlier this year during the GOP presidential race, made peace with Trump after the primaries and helped raise money for Trump during the general election.

The popular conservative governor, a Navy veteran who served in the Iraq war, was narrowly re-elected in 2022 but is term-limited and cannot run for re-election in 2026.

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DeSantis is “deeply in contention” to replace Hegseth, multiple sources told Fox News, with one source adding that it was the president-elect who floated the governor’s name.

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The report from Fox News and other organizations comes as Hegseth returns to Capitol Hill on Wednesday to continue meeting with Republican leaders as he makes his case for confirmation as defense secretary.

Pete Hegseth, President Donald Trump’s choice for secretary of defense, speaks to reporters following a meeting with senators on Capitol Hill, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.) (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)

Hegseth, an Army National Guard officer who served in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and a former Fox News anchor, faces a series of allegations of drinking and sexual misconduct.

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Hegseth dismissed the allegations that he abuses women.

Hegseth’s mother, Penelope Hegseth, appeared Wednesday on Fox and Friends to defend her son and “set the record straight.”

“I’m here to tell the truth. To tell the truth to the American people and to tell the truth to the senators on the hill, especially the female senators. I really hope you don’t listen to the media and listen to Pete,” he added.

President Donald J. Trump, a member of the Secret Service, his son Eric Trump, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and his wife Casey DeSantis attended a memorial service for three Sheriff County Sheriff’s deputies who died at the South Florida Fairgrounds, Tuesday December 03, 2024, Palm Beach County. (Bill Ingram/Imagn)

If Trump goes ahead and nominates DeSantis and the governor is confirmed by the GOP-controlled Senate next year, it will lead to the rise of Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez. She would make history as Florida’s first female governor — and the first of Cuban descent.

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The Wall Street Journal first reported news that Trump was considering DeSantis for defense secretary.