Trump Says It Is "Too Early" to Talk About Hegseth Running for President

[Financial News] U.S. President Donald Trump dismissed speculation that Pete Hegseth, the Deputy Secretary of Defense, may run for president, calling it "too early to talk about."
On the 31st local time, Trump responded to reports that Hegseth was considering a run in the 2028 presidential election, saying, "He is doing a great job, but it is too early to talk about that." He added, "The priority is getting through the November midterm elections," and stressed that "the only thing Hegseth cares about and loves is taking care of the U.S. military."
NBC recently reported, citing multiple sources, that "Hegseth has been discussing a presidential bid with his inner circle," but Hegseth drew a firm line, calling the report "100% false."
In fact, Hegseth has repeatedly taken political steps, including attending campaign events for Republican lawmakers backed by Trump, despite the U.S. military's tradition of political neutrality.
At present, the race for the Republican Party's 2028 presidential nominee appears to be shaping up as a contest between Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, but with time still left, the situation remains fluid. In general, presidential campaigns begin after the midterm elections, when candidates start announcing their bids in the first half of the following year.
Trump also recently said of the possibility that Senator Ted Cruz of Texas may run for president, "He seems likely to run. He is a very talented person."
[email protected] Hong Chaewan Reporter