Before Trump's term is even halfway through, more people are eager to succeed him—could Hegseth be joining the race?
Trump hasn't even completed half of his second term, yet already there are those who can't wait to take over.
According to U.S. media citing informed sources, following Vice President Vance and Secretary of State Rubio, Defense Secretary Hegseth is also considering running in the 2028 presidential election.
The report states that Hegseth has been discussing the possibility of running with family members and close friends for several months, indicating this is not a sudden impulse but rather a long-planned move.
At the beginning of the month, Hegseth even traveled to Iowa to rally support for Republican candidates—an unusual signal, given that Iowa hosts the first Republican presidential primary. As head of the Pentagon, he should be focused on military affairs, yet his public involvement in campaign activities strongly suggests political ambitions.
Perhaps aiming to help solidify Trump’s base, Hegseth has freely praised his own “achievements,” primarily by eliminating diversity programs at the Pentagon and cultivating a “wolf-like culture” within the U.S. military, reinvigorating it into a highly combat-ready force.
A Republican source who declined to be named told reporters that although Hegseth’s past record and conduct are controversial, his perceived "masculinity" resonates strongly with Trump’s core voters. Compared to Vance and Rubio, Hegseth appears more masculine and energetic.
Regarding these rumors, the Pentagon firmly denied them, stating that Hegseth is fully dedicated to leading the Department of War and has no interest in fame or power—media speculation is simply foolish.
Hegseth himself posted online, expressing his hope that “fake news” would stop relying on so-called “anonymous sources,” as if the mere title grants permission to fabricate anything they want.
Although the accuracy of the reports remains uncertain, if Hegseth truly intends to run, it will undoubtedly add significant drama to the next election. As the saying goes: A host who doesn’t dream of being Secretary of War isn’t a true president.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1874842598598659/
Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author.