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🇮🇱 Israel /Elections & Politics

Trump Brushes Aside Hegseth 2028 Speculation: ‘We Have to Get Through the Midterms First’

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

Newswire From a news agency Context piece
  • Donald Trump said it was too early to discuss Pete Hegseth as a potential 2028 presidential candidate and praised the defense secretary’s performance.
  • Hegseth has denied a report that he discussed a possible White House run, calling the claim “100% false.”
  • Trump has not selected a successor for his political movement and has highlighted his influence in Republican congressional races ahead of the midterms.

Donald Trump put off talk of who might lead his political movement after he leaves office, saying Republicans first need to get through the 2026 midterm elections.

Fantastic job, but it's very early to talk about that.

— Donald TrumpTrump responded to reports that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth might consider a 2028 presidential campaign.

Asked about an NBC News report that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had discussed a possible 2028 White House campaign, Trump praised Hegseth but said the conversation was premature. “We have to get through the midterms first,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.

We have to get through the midterms first.

— Donald TrumpTrump said Republicans should focus first on the November congressional elections.

Hegseth, an Army National Guard veteran and former Fox News host, appeared at the Iowa State Fair this month to campaign for Republicans. He rejected the report about his ambitions in a social media post last week, calling it “100% false.” Trump said Hegseth was focused on the military and its personnel.

100% false.

— Pete HegsethHegseth denied a report about his alleged 2028 presidential ambitions.

Trump cannot seek a third presidential term and has not named a successor to lead the Make America Great Again movement after he leaves office in 2029. Supporters have encouraged Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to run. Trump also claimed that his endorsements had become an exceptionally powerful force in Republican politics, including in races where challengers defeated sitting senators.

It is, without question, the strongest Endorsement in the History of Politics.

— Donald TrumpTrump described the power of his endorsements in a Truth Social post.
About this summary

Originally published by Jerusalem Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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