Hegseth: Trump told me to ‘keep fighting’

Pete Hegseth told reporters on Wednesday that President-elect Donald Trump has told him to “keep fighting” as he faces serious doubts about his ability to get confirmed as Defense secretary.

“I spoke to the president-elect this morning. He said, keep going, keep fighting,” Hegseth said. “Why would I back down? I’ve always been a fighter.”

Senators won’t say he’s done publicly but many Republicans are conceding a difficult path ahead for Hegseth to address allegations of sexual misconduct, chanting “kill all Muslims” and drunkenness on the job. Several Republicans on Wednesday indicated his confirmation hearing – and upcoming meetings with lawmakers — were pivotal.

“There are hard questions being raised, so he'll have to answer those,” said incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), who will meet on Wednesday with Hegseth. “My assumption is throughout the process, we'll get that opportunity."

Several senators batted aside rumblings that Trump might swap in Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis as his Defense secretary, saying such rumors are pervasive throughout any confirmation process.

"They’re still moving to try to get him confirmed." said Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C).

Incoming Senate Armed Services Chair Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) said he didn’t get the impression that Trump was swapping Hegseth for DeSantis. He declined to say whether he’d support the Hegseth pick, adding only that their meeting on Wednesday went “very well.”

Republicans will have a 53-47 edge in the Senate next session, meaning Hegseth could lose just three Republican votes if Democrats unite in opposition and Vice President-elect JD Vance breaks a tie.

Possible swing vote lawmakers were largely mum on Wednesday about Hegseth’s prospects. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) again stressed the need for a thorough background check, while Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) initially batted away questions and discussed the Alaskan origins of the Capitol Christmas tree. She did say she’d meet with Hegseth next week.

Hegseth's meeting with Thune is important as the incoming leader will oversee the confirmation votes for Trump’s picks and face pressure to move quickly.

Thune sidestepped reports of Trump weighing DeSantis as an alternative Pentagon pick. The South Dakota Republican said there is typically “swirl” around the confirmation process but noted, “the important thing is the president is still committed to the nominees that he has put forward.”

Hegseth is also set to meet Wednesday with Sens. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), who have said Hegseth must explain the allegations against him.