President Donald Trump praised Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s performance but pushed back on speculation about a potential 2028 presidential bid, saying Republicans first need to focus on the upcoming midterm elections.
Trump Backs Hegseth, Rejects 2028 Talk
On Monday, asked about an NBC News report that Hegseth could consider a 2028 presidential run, Trump said it was too soon to discuss the possibility.
“I think he’s doing a fantastic job, but it’s very early to talk about that,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.
He added, “We have to get through the midterms first.”
Trump also called Hegseth “a very good guy” and suggested that several other Republicans could be considering a 2028 campaign.
“I’ll bet there’s a lot of people considering it that you don’t know about,” Trump said.
He added, “Right now, all he loves is and all he cares about is the military and taking care of the military.”
Hegseth Denies 2028 Presidential Run
On Friday, Hegseth rejected an NBC News report that he had discussed a potential 2028 presidential run with associates, calling the report “100% false” and saying he told NBC he was not running.
The speculation followed Hegseth’s appearance at the Iowa State Fair, where he campaigned for Rep. Zach Nunn (R-Iowa).
Meanwhile, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio were among Republicans viewed as potential 2028 contenders.
Hegseth had previously run unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate in Minnesota in 2012 before joining Fox News. Trump nominated him as defense secretary in 2024, and he took office in early 2025.
Democrats Warned About Trump’s Midterm Impact
Earlier, Former Gov. Chris Christie (R-N.J.) warned that Trump’s declining approval ratings could push vulnerable Republicans to distance themselves from him ahead of the 2026 midterms.
He said GOP candidates could treat Trump “like he has malaria” because of his weak standing among voters.
Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) accused Trump of undermining election trust to justify federal intervention, saying he was willing to “do anything to claim victory in November, whether he wins or not.”
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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