President-elect Donald Trump is reportedly considering replacing his initial choice for Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth, with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. This potential pivot comes amid mounting allegations about Hegseth’s personal life, which have raised concerns among Republican senators, according to sources close to Trump’s transition team.
Such a move would mark a dramatic shift for Trump, as DeSantis was a fierce rival in the 2024 GOP presidential primary. However, DeSantis’s conservative credentials, military service, and alignment with Trump’s—and Hegseth’s—agenda to roll back “woke” policies in the military make him an appealing alternative.
Trump allies believe the coming 48 hours will be critical for Hegseth’s future, with growing doubts about his ability to weather further scrutiny. While DeSantis had initially been on a shortlist for the Pentagon role, Trump opted for Hegseth. Now, with Hegseth’s nomination faltering, DeSantis is once again a leading contender.
According to a Trump ally, discussions are still in early stages, but the president-elect has reportedly floated DeSantis’s name in recent conversations at Mar-a-Lago, signaling that a decision may not be far off.
* Arutz 7 contributed to this article.