MSM Says Trump is Replacing Hegseth with DeSantis – Is this true?

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President-elect Donald Trump is reportedly considering replacing former Fox News host Pete Hegseth with a former GOP rival, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, as his pick for defense secretary, according to a Wednesday report.

The New York Times, citing unnamed sources close to Trump, reports that the president-elect is contemplating DeSantis as a potential replacement if the pressure campaign against Hegseth’s nomination becomes overwhelming.

Hegseth, in a media blitz on Wednesday, began by sharing that Trump reassured him and told him that he’s got his back. The Times report added that Trump has privately expressed his interest in DeSantis for the role, suggesting that it would be a significant story to revive DeSantis’ political career after defeating him. Trump has praised DeSantis for his leadership of Florida, where Trump resides, and has also highlighted his background as a Navy veteran.

Additionally, the report mentioned that Trump has discussed Florida Congressman Michael Waltz, whom he appointed as a national security adviser, as another possible option. However, sources close to Trump believe that DeSantis is currently his preferred alternative if Hegseth’s nomination falters.

During an interview with SiriusXM’s Megyn Kelly, Hegseth strongly denied the allegations against him, which range from sexual assault to drunken behavior and financial mismanagement. He characterized these allegations as classic smears against a Trump ally, similar to those faced by Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

In an op-ed for The Wall Street Journal, Hegseth reiterated these points, expressing his desire for a fair confirmation hearing and rejecting the notion that the media trials should be part of the process. When asked about withdrawing from the nomination, Hegseth responded confidently about why would he back down and that he’s always been a fighter.

The sexual assault allegations stem from an incident in 2017 at a conservative event, which Hegseth described as consensual. He stated that neither he nor the woman involved were intoxicated at the time. A police report later cleared Hegseth of wrongdoing, but he settled the matter with the woman, which his attorney described as extortion.

The NBC News report, citing as many as ten anonymous sources from Fox News, claimed that Hegseth would often arrive at his co-hosting duties for Fox & Friends Weekend either smelling of alcohol or tipsy. Following this report, Hegseth’s former colleagues on Fox News strongly defended him. Co-hosts Will Cain and Rachel Campos-Duffy dismissed the allegations as false, as did numerous other current and former Fox News personalities.

Fox News host Lisa Marie Boothe also defended Hegseth, saying that he has guest co-hosted with him numerous times before and not once this did happen. Not once had she heard this from others and she added that this was such a disgusting and false smear. Other figures like Clay Travis and Guy Benson also joined in, condemning the allegations as baseless and malicious.

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