Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has publicly shot down reports that he is weighing a 2028 presidential run.
Citing multiple anonymous sources familiar with the matter, NBC News reported that Hegseth and his wife have privately floated the idea of a campaign to a tight circle of close friends and allies over the past several months. One Republican source told the network Hegseth holds broad appeal with male voters and the party's core base.
Should Hegseth enter the race, he would face steep headwinds in the Republican primary. He would come under scrutiny over his handling of US-Iran tensions and last year's "Signalgate" controversy, and would join a field of likely contenders that includes Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
A Pentagon spokesperson rejected the reporting. "Secretary Hegseth is not running for president, and his main priority is leading the War Department. All other speculation is foolish," the spokesperson said.
Hegseth later responded on X, "100% false. My only job: Make @DeptofWar Great Again."
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