Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on Friday denied a report that he is considering a presidential bid in 2028, as speculation builds around which Republicans will battle to succeed President Donald Trump.
“100% false. We told NBC that, but they just lie w/ anonymous ‘sources,’” Hegseth said on social media.
Hegseth was responding to an NBC report that claimed the secretary told close friends and associates he is considering a presidential campaign in two years. The report cited “two people familiar with the conversations,” triggering the response from Hegseth.
The secretary insisted he is focused on leading the War Department.
“My only job: Make @DeptofWar Great Again,” he added. “Carry on Patriots, and enjoy your Friday night.”
Hegseth’s recent appearance in Iowa — which leads the GOP presidential nominating calendar — has fueled rumors he could be interested in elected office. Hegseth also campaigned for former Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein, the Republican candidate who knocked off Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) earlier this year.
If Hegseth were to run, he could join a potentially crowded field alongside his Cabinet-level colleagues.
As of late August, Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are widely seen as the top two candidates to succeed Trump headed into 2028, though neither man has confirmed plans to run. Polymarket handed Vance a 48% chance of clinching the GOP’s nomination and Rubio a 17% chance as of Friday.
Other possible candidates include Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), former Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, and Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL).
Earlier this week, Cruz poured cold water on the view that the GOP should anoint Vance as its nominee, arguing Republicans would need to do some soul-searching over its future before selecting someone to fill Trump’s shoes.
Following those comments, Cruz said Wednesday, “It’s no secret that I want to be president.”
“I will say, this is a bug that history has proved is rarely ended,” the Texas senator said. “It is a permanent and often fatal bug.”
Trump has declined so far to endorse a successor, opting to keep his cards close ahead of what’s likely to be a bitter race. The president has suggested Vance and Rubio would make a powerful ticket and reportedly told donors that “we need to elect JD,” according to the Washington Post.
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The president also called Cruz “a talented guy” earlier this week when pressed on the Texas senator’s presidential ambitions.
“He’s a very good friend of mine,” Trump told reporters about Cruz on Thursday in the Oval Office.
