He reiterated Wednesday afternoon that he wouldn’t back down from the fight. In an op-ed published by the Wall Street Journal, he condemned the press for what he described as a “manufactured media takedown” of him.
He also appeared on conservative commentator Megyn Kelly’s radio show vowing to fight on.
But the Journal had, only hours before, carried a report that Trump was considering asking his old rival, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), to supplant Hegseth as his pick to lead the Pentagon.
Hegseth has been the subject of accusations of sexual assault stemming from a 2017 encounter he says was consensual, as well as claims of being drunk at work and mismanagement of funds while running two veterans organizations.
Even as Hegseth put a brave face on the state of his nomination fight, Trump issued no social media missives in his defense.
Meanwhile, a source familiar with the matter told The Hill that Trump had indeed approached DeSantis about the Defense job and that the Florida governor was “seriously considering” the position.
The Trump team, widely reported to have been blindsided by allegations of personal misconduct by Hegseth, is also said to be considering other options too. The Associated Press reported one such possibility was moving Rep. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.) from his current nomination to be national security adviser to instead take the helm at the Pentagon.
The stakes are high for every player in the furor — as well as for some on its fringes.
Read the full report at TheHill.com.
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