Donald Trump is reportedly eyeing Florida Governor Ron DeSantis as a potential replacement for Pete Hegseth to lead the Department of Defense, should Hegseth’s confirmation face further challenges. However, some close to DeSantis worry that this may not be a genuine offer but a way for Trump to punish the governor.
DeSantis, who ran against Trump in the 2024 GOP primary but later aligned with him after his defeat, remains a contentious figure within the Republican Party. While they have joined forces post-primary, rumors of lingering animosity between the two continue to circulate.
According to Politico, DeSantis’ name has emerged in discussions as Hegseth, a Fox News personality, struggles to secure the necessary Republican votes for confirmation. The outlet spoke to 16 Republican lobbyists, elected officials, and political consultants who have ties to both Trump and DeSantis.
Some allies see the Defense Secretary position as a strategic move for DeSantis, keeping him in the national spotlight as he prepares for a potential future presidential run. “Many DeSantis allies see the Defense secretary job as being attractive to DeSantis, giving him the keys to run the world’s most powerful bureaucracy,” the report said.
However, not all DeSantis supporters view the opportunity as a clear win. Some suspect that Trump could simply be testing the waters to gauge how senators would react to the idea. “Such a move could be orchestrated to see whether the president-elect needs to choose a new nominee out of concern that Hegseth won’t get confirmed,” Politico reported.
One ally, who frequently communicates with DeSantis’ inner circle, noted that the governor’s team would need to consider the risks of trusting Trump, who has previously ousted cabinet members quickly when they fell out of favor. The ally described the situation as a “risk” for DeSantis: “He might on the one hand gain political longevity, but also that it wasn’t guaranteed.”
Another individual close to Trump voiced skepticism about DeSantis taking the job. “It could all be a Machiavellian move to kneecap him and leave him with nothing,” they said, reflecting concerns that this could be a strategic move to undermine DeSantis rather than elevate him.