Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Friday rejected an NBC News report claiming he has discussed a potential 2028 White House run with close associates.
In a post on X, Hegseth pushed back, saying he told NBC he wasn’t running “but they just lie w/ anonymous ‘sources.'” He called the report “100% false.”
The comment was in response to NBC’s Friday report that claimed he discussed a potential presidential campaign with close friends and associates, citing his recent appearance at the Iowa State Fair as evidence. Hegseth was there campaigning for Rep. Zach Nunn (R-Iowa).
A Crowded GOP Field Taking Shape
No major Republican has formally declared a 2028 campaign. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) has openly acknowledged that he wants to be president, while Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio remain among the leading Republican prospects.
