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U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth rejected reports Friday that he is exploring a presidential bid in 2028, calling them “100% false” and saying he remains focused on leading the Pentagon.
“We told NBC that, but they just lie with anonymous ‘sources,’” Hegseth wrote on X after the report was published.
He said his “only job” is to lead the Department of Defense.
NBC News reported Friday that Hegseth had explored the possibility of running for U.S. president in 2028.
Sources familiar with the matter told NBC that Hegseth had held private discussions with close associates about a possible White House bid.
According to the report, Hegseth and his wife believe his staunch social views and aggressive leadership style could resonate strongly with supporters of the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement, a slogan popularized by President Donald Trump during his 2016 campaign.
His appearances in Iowa to support a local Republican candidate have also fueled speculation about his future political ambitions.
A Pentagon spokesperson dismissed the claims, saying Hegseth would not run for president and remains fully committed to his duties at the Pentagon.
Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are seen as potential primary rivals if Hegseth were to enter the 2028 race.
The speculation comes as Trump has repeatedly mentioned the idea of seeking a third term, despite being constitutionally barred from doing so under the 22nd Amendment.
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