President Donald Trump on Monday addressed rumors of a potential 2028 presidential campaign by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, stating that it is too early to discuss potential successors. Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that Hegseth is doing a “fantastic job, but it’s very early to talk about that.”
“We have to get through the midterms first,” Trump added, referring to the upcoming November elections where his Republican Party aims to maintain control of both chambers of Congress.
Hegseth, an Army National Guard veteran and former Fox News Channel host, has been involved in Republican campaigning, including appearances at the Iowa State Fair this month. He has publicly denied reports of his presidential ambitions, calling them “100% false” in a social media post.
Trump, who is serving his second and final term as president, has not yet endorsed a successor to lead the “Make America Great Again” movement beyond 2029. The president noted that other individuals, such as Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have also been encouraged by supporters to consider presidential runs. “I’ll bet there’s a lot of people considering it that you don’t know about,” Trump said.
He reiterated his focus on Hegseth’s current role, stating, “Right now, all he loves is - and all he cares about is - the military and taking care of the military.” Trump has previously used his endorsement power in elections, playing a significant role in Republican races, which he has described as the strongest endorsement in politics.