Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is not running for president in 2028, at least not according to him. On Friday, he took to X to deny an NBC News report claiming he had discussed a potential White House bid with close friends and associates.
Hegseth didn't mince words. "100% false," he wrote, adding that he had told NBC he wasn't running "but they just lie w/ anonymous 'sources.'" He also threw in a nod to his current job: "My only job: Make @DeptofWar Great Again."
The NBC report pointed to his recent appearance at the Iowa State Fair as evidence of presidential ambitions. But Hegseth was there for a reason: campaigning for Rep. Zach Nunn (R-Iowa).
A Crowded GOP Field Taking Shape
While no major Republican has formally jumped into the 2028 race, the field is already buzzing. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) has openly said he wants to be president. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are also considered top contenders.
Hegseth isn't new to the political arena. The former Fox News host ran for a U.S. Senate seat in Minnesota back in 2012 but dropped out of the Republican primary after the state party convention. He later joined Fox News as a contributor in 2014, building a national profile as a conservative commentator.
In 2024, President Donald Trump tapped him to lead the Department of Defense, and he's been in the role since early 2025.
Since taking the helm at the Pentagon, Hegseth has moved fast to consolidate power among political appointees. He ousted Navy Secretary John Phelan and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George earlier this year, shaking up the leadership ranks.
And the reshuffling isn't done. Reports say Hegseth is considering his chief spokesperson, Sean Parnell, to replace Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, who is expected to step down.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by MarketDash editors.
