President-elect Donald Trump is considering replacing former Fox News host Pete Hegseth as his pick for defense secretary amid spiraling allegations over his behavior, according to multiple media reports.
The Wall Street Journal first reported Tuesday night that Trump was considering pulling Hegseth’s name and replacing him with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), a onetime rival and now ardent supporter. Other potential names floated to lead the Department of Defense include Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst (R) and Tennessee’s Sen. Bill Hagerty (R), CNN added.
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Hegseth, a veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, is the latest nominee to face a fierce confirmation battle amid a series of shocking allegations. A woman accused him of sexual assault during a Republican conference in 2017. He has said the encounter was consensual, but reached a settlement with the woman for an undisclosed sum in 2023. No charges were filed in the matter.
The New Yorker published another bombshell this month that included claims he was forced to resign from two veterans groups amid allegations of financial mismanagement, sexual impropriety and other misconduct. NBC News added to those allegations on Tuesday, citing current and former Fox News employees who alleged they were alarmed when Hegseth regularly showed up for work at the network smelling like alcohol.
“Everyone would be talking about it behind the scenes before he went on the air,” one of the former Fox employees told NBC.
Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
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Hegseth has denied all allegations, claiming they are political cheap shots made by disgruntled former associates.
If Trump does withdraw his support, it would be the second major setback for his soon-to-be Cabinet. Former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz (R) dropped out of consideration to be the next attorney general last month amid allegations he attended sex parties with minors.
Gaetz has vehemently denied the claims.
If DeSantis is anointed to lead the Pentagon, he would be Trump’s latest choice from his home state of Florida. Sen. Marco Rubio (R) was tapped to be his secretary of state and DeSantis is already preparing to name an interim replacement to fill his seat.