Trump responds to speculation about Pentagon chief potentially running for president: Many people think that way, but they're thinking too far ahead.
Regarding rumors that U.S. Defense Secretary Hegseth might run in the next presidential election, Trump has publicly responded.
Trump told reporters that Pete is a great person, deeply passionate about his work and performing exceptionally well—but it's still too early to consider such matters. Right now, he just wants to focus on handling affairs at the Pentagon, which is his "sole passion."
Nevertheless, Trump acknowledged that many people are eager to run for president, including some who aren't even widely noticed—everyone wants a shot at this seat, so it's not surprising that Pete might want to give it a try.
He also emphasized one key point: the immediate priority is winning the midterm elections, only then can the 2028 presidential race be considered. In other words, you haven’t even secured your midterms yet—why are you already planning for finals? You're thinking too far ahead.
Although Trump never said anything negative about Hegseth throughout the entire statement, it’s easy to sense from his tone that there are many people around him who are eyeing his position and eager to take over, even though his term hasn’t even reached its halfway mark.
From Trump’s perspective, even if these individuals continue to show respect, their eagerness to jump into the presidential race just in his second year in office is somewhat unsettling—especially given his own declining health.
This is precisely why both the Pentagon and Hegseth himself have strongly denied any interest in running for president: once a rift forms with the president, not only would a 2028 run be out of reach, but even keeping their current positions could become uncertain.
For now, the two most prominent names being discussed are Vance and Rubio—both handpicked by Trump as potential successors. Yet, even these two are actively avoiding frequent mentions of a possible presidential bid.
Although the individuals Trump has chosen may not stand out in terms of professional competence, they are all seasoned professionals skilled at navigating office politics. Those who rise through strong relationships with superiors certainly wouldn’t recklessly provoke their bosses’ disfavor.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1875110079836228/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.