Embattled Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth may be facing mounting pressure within the Trump administration over recent national security controversies, but a familiar safety net could be waiting in the wings — his former employer, Fox News.
Following the fallout from the Signal group chat debacle, which raised serious concerns about the mishandling of sensitive information, whispers of Hegseth’s potential ousting have grown louder inside the Beltway. Despite vocal support from President Donald Trump and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, insiders say the administration has already started the quiet search for a replacement.
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Still, Hegseth’s allies insist he has nothing to fear. According to Hollywood insider Rob Shuter, Fox News is reportedly “ready to welcome” the former Fox & Friends Weekend co-host back with open arms — and possibly a major promotion.
“He’s more famous now than when he left,” Shuter wrote on Substack, as reported by Radar Online. “His name’s in the headlines, his brand is bigger, and his return would be ratings gold.”
Sources inside the network confirm that discussions are underway to bring Hegseth back, potentially into a primetime slot — a significant upgrade from his weekend show, which he co-hosted from 2017 to 2024.
“He’s still a hero to the MAGA base,” said a former Fox producer. “Put him in primetime and watch the numbers skyrocket.” One Fox executive was even more blunt: “The calculus is simple. If Trump doesn’t want him in the Pentagon, he could have a far louder megaphone at Fox.”
Hegseth, 44, has found himself under scrutiny since reports emerged that he shared sensitive military information via Signal with a group that included non-government contacts. The move triggered bipartisan criticism and speculation about his future in the Defense Department.
However, President Trump has stood firmly by Hegseth, brushing off the leak as a distraction. “He’s doing a great job — ask the Houthis how he’s doing,” Trump quipped during a recent press briefing.
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White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt echoed that message, posting on X that the president “stands strongly” behind the former Army National Guard officer.
Addressing the media frenzy himself, Hegseth said, “This is what the media does — they take anonymous sources from disgruntled former employees, and then they try to slash and burn people, ruin their reputation. It’s not going to work with me.”
As Washington watches how the administration handles the fallout, one thing appears clear: whether in uniform or behind a desk at Fox News, Pete Hegseth isn’t planning on going anywhere.
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