President Donald Trump had some nice things to say about Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday, but he wasn't ready to start talking about 2028. When asked about a recent NBC News report suggesting Hegseth might be eyeing a presidential run, Trump made it clear that's a conversation for another day.
"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 quickly added, "We have to get through the midterms first."
Trump also described Hegseth as "a very good guy" and hinted that there could be plenty of other Republicans quietly considering their own bids. "I'll bet there's a lot of people considering it that you don't know about," he said.
But for now, Hegseth's focus is elsewhere. "Right now, all he loves is and all he cares about is the military and taking care of the military," Trump added.
The speculation about Hegseth's political future picked up after he showed up at the Iowa State Fair to campaign for Rep. Zach Nunn (R-Iowa). That appearance, combined with the NBC report, had people talking. But Hegseth wasn't having any of it. On Friday, he shot down the report as "100% false," insisting he had already told NBC he wasn't running.
Hegseth's path to the Pentagon wasn't exactly a straight line. He ran for the U.S. Senate in Minnesota back in 2012 and lost, then spent years at Fox News before Trump tapped him as defense secretary in 2024. He took office in early 2025.
While Hegseth may be out of the 2028 conversation for now, others are very much in it. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Vice President JD Vance, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are all seen as potential contenders. So the field could get crowded, even if Hegseth decides to stay on the sidelines.
Meanwhile, there's a bigger political storm brewing. Former Gov. Chris Christie (R-N.J.) has warned that Trump's sinking approval ratings could make vulnerable Republicans want to keep their distance heading into the 2026 midterms. Christie's colorful take? GOP candidates might treat Trump "like he has malaria" because of his weak standing with voters.
On the other side, Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) is accusing Trump of undermining trust in elections to justify federal intervention, saying he's willing to "do anything to claim victory in November, whether he wins or not."
So while Hegseth's 2028 prospects are on hold, the political maneuvering for the midterms and beyond is already in full swing. And if Trump's comments are any indication, the focus for now is squarely on November 2026, not the next presidential race.
