Life is getting more surreal by the minute. The Bulwark broke news Tuesday night that Ron DeSantis is in talks with Donald Trump about replacing Pete Hegseth as the nominee to head the Department of Defense. While you’re rolling that around in your head, talk has also taken place about DeSantis apponting Lara Trump to the United States Senate to replace Marco Rubio’s seat. As we noted here earlier today, word is that there are six Republican senators who will not vote to confirm Hegseth, so likely he’s going the way of Matt Gaetz. Yet another career that lasts less than a Scaramucci.
DONALD TRUMP AND RON DESANTIS have personally discussed the possibility of the Florida governor becoming the next secretary of defense amid concerns that sexual assault allegations could engulf the president-elect’s current nominee for the post, Pete Hegseth.
The talks, relayed by four sources briefed on them, are in their advanced stages. They underscore the fears within Trump world about Hegseth’s ability to survive a Senate confirmation process—despite public posturing from Hegseth and allies that he remains committed to ending up at DoD.
“These discussions are real. It’s serious. I can’t say it’s definitely going to happen, but the governor is receptive and Trump is serious, too,” a top Republican source familiar with the conversations told The Bulwark on condition of anonymity. […]
DeSantis first began talking with Trump about joining his cabinet back in June. The idea was initially brokered by Steve Witkoff, a Miami-based developer and friend of both men whom Trump has subsequently tapped to be his envoy to the Middle East.
DeSantis, whose term as governor ends in January 2027 and who cannot run again because of term limits, was most interested in becoming U.S. attorney general, but for that slot Trump wanted an appointee who had exhibited the utmost loyalty—so he tapped Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz. When Gaetz proved unconfirmable by the Senate, Trump sought Bondi to lead the Justice Department instead.
DeSantis, a Navy veteran, would face a far easier Senate confirmation than Hegseth, who has been dogged by salacious reports of drunkenness and sexual assault. While Hegseth’s attorney denies the allegations, criticism of his conduct has gained steam on the right in recent days. Newsmax host Greg Kelly on Monday night called on Hegseth to quit and commentator Ann Coulter criticized Hegseth for being a “sleazy serial adulterer.”
When you’ve lost Ann Coulter, what’s to be done? DeSantis running the Department of Defense is a bit of a stretch but it’s not Bizarro World weird like Pete Hegseth in the job. And there may be a pattern forming here: two out of the top three gawdawful Trump nominees, namely Gaetz and Hegseth, didn’t last long. I think this report is credible and it makes perfect sense to dump Hegseth. Plus, if Michael Cohen is right and Trump wants to invade Canada, Hegseth would probably back him but DeSantis might not. You believe the conversations we’re having these days? You can’t make this stuff up.
So if DeSantis outs Hegseth, that would leave Kash Patel as the last absolutely horrible nominee. Patel is not viable in any way to head an intelligence post. Bill Barr was right about that. That said, Trump will undoubtedly find a job for him somewhere in the administration but it won’t be running the FBI or the CIA.
They’re still weird aren’t they?
Closer to ‘normal’ than they were a week ago, but still weird.
Walz was right.
DeSantis was in the navy but I believe he was a jag officer, not a line officer. he does however remain a jagoff.
Hegseth’s mommy was on fux while I was at the gym. She was saying some bs that he was different now and she sent the email in a moment where her hotheadedness took over and she was not that woman now. Sounds like sonny boy went boohooing to mommy and begged or threatened her to go out and beg for his job. Geez….
And let’s not forget Tulsi when discussing horribles.
Not sure who is worse: Petie the rednosed Rapist or Rules who longs to be Putin’s mistress.
MORE NEPOTISM IN TRUMP TRANS-ITION
NOMINATION, PLEASE.