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Donald Trump’s nomination of Pete Hegseth to lead the Pentagon has taken a dramatic turn as Trump and his allies launched an aggressive campaign to rescue his confirmation chances.
Hegseth, a former Fox News host and military veteran, faced mounting opposition from several Republican senators due to past allegations of sexual misconduct and excessive drinking. However, with renewed backing from Trump’s inner circle, conservative media, and Vice President-elect JD Vance, Hegseth’s path to confirmation appears more promising than it was just a week ago.
Sources close to Trump described the shift in momentum as a result of a multi-pronged strategy. Key players like Vance, Donald Trump Jr., and prominent conservative figures such as Charlie Kirk mobilized pressure on Republican senators.
Simultaneously, Hegseth made media appearances, notably on Megyn Kelly's SiriusXM radio show, where he addressed the allegations against him and emphasized his intent to reform the Pentagon by eliminating so-called “woke” diversity policies.
The pressure campaign extended to social media, with Trump allies publicly calling out hesitant senators, notably Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a military veteran and sexual assault survivor who sits on the Senate Armed Services Committee, which will oversee Hegseth's confirmation hearing.
Trump, who had remained relatively quiet on the matter, finally broke his silence, offering public endorsements for Hegseth via social media and a taped appearance on "Meet the Press." This show of support was seen as a crucial turning point, convincing wavering GOP senators that Trump was fully committed to the nomination.
According to Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), Trump assured him directly that he would stand by Hegseth, which Cornyn saw as essential to rallying Republican votes. "I wanted to make sure that he was committed to the nomination," Cornyn said. "That’s what I needed to know because I didn’t see people taking any political risks only to find out it was for nothing."
The effort to secure Hegseth's nomination included a well-funded advertising push. Building America’s Future, a group previously supported by Elon Musk, launched a $500,000 ad campaign urging citizens, especially those in Iowa, to pressure their senators to support Hegseth. The campaign targeted Sen. Ernst specifically, given her influence on the Armed Services Committee.
Hegseth’s confirmation battle is seen as a potential blueprint for future Trump nominees. Trump’s team is preparing for additional tough confirmation fights for other controversial picks, including former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (R-Hawaii) for director of national intelligence and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for head of the Department of Health and Human Services.
Both candidates are expected to face significant resistance. Gabbard has drawn criticism for past comments perceived as supportive of Russian propaganda regarding Ukraine and her previous defense of Syrian leader Bashar Assad. Kennedy, meanwhile, faces scrutiny for his anti-vaccine rhetoric and his controversial views on public health policies, such as removing fluoride from drinking water.
Trump's team understands that any perceived defeat with Hegseth could embolden opposition to his other nominees.
After the Senate rejected Trump’s first pick for attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), the president-elect's strategy shifted. "If they dump Hegseth, what’s next? They’re going to go after Tulsi and RFK Jr.," said a Republican strategist close to Trump’s team.
Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), one of Trump’s staunchest allies, called on Trump to maintain control of the process, likening the confirmation battles to football strategy.
"I’m the head coach and I’m going to hire an offensive coordinator. I’m going to hire who I want," Tuberville said. His comments reflect Trump's broader approach to his administration's appointments, signaling that Trump wants to install his own team, regardless of the backlash.
For Hegseth, the stakes are high. He can only afford to lose three Republican votes if all Democrats oppose him. While no GOP senators have formally declared opposition, behind-the-scenes hesitation from key senators like Ernst has left his fate uncertain.
Trump allies have criticized Republican senators who appear ambivalent about supporting Hegseth, questioning how they could have confirmed Biden’s Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin but now hesitate to back Trump’s nominee.
The decision to double down on Hegseth comes with calculated risk. Trump's advisers worry that any failure could set a precedent for more rejections, especially with controversial nominees like Gabbard and Kennedy on the horizon.
But for now, Trump’s renewed support has given Hegseth a lifeline. As one Trump ally put it, “Last week was a masterclass in how to bring somebody back from the brink.”
