‘Really Bad News for Republicans’: Hegseth’s Iowa Trip Fuels Presidential Buzz — And Alarm
Screenshot via @JenniferJJacobs on X
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made waves across the internet after a Monday campaign stop in Iowa with Rep. Zach Nunn (R-IA) fueled speculation that the Pentagon chief may be eyeing a presidential run.
The trip was first reported by CBS News’ Jennifer Jacobs and Eleanor Watson, who highlighted the unconventional nature of the appearance, noting, “It is highly unusual for a current defense secretary to campaign for candidates. Previous secretaries rarely, if ever, attended events for candidates while defense secretary.”
The Washington Post followed up later Monday evening, reporting that the Pentagon described Hegseth’s trip as being made in his “personal capacity,” despite the defense secretary traveling to Iowa aboard a U.S.-funded military aircraft. The outlet also reported that officials familiar with Hegseth’s thinking believe he is considering a run for president or another political office after President Donald Trump’s term ends, with one official saying the visit to Iowa — a presidential campaign proving ground — fits that pattern.
The internet was set ablaze Tuesday with reactions to the rumors, with a picture Jacobs posted from the campaign stop only throwing kerosene on the fire. The image, in her words, depicts the defense secretary in a “gray shirt” with the “sleeves rolled up, leaving his tattoos visible.”
Democratic strategist Mike Nellis wrote on X, “A Hegseth presidential campaign is going to deliver some hilarious campaign trail moments from Iowa. Really bad news for Republicans,” while Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO) brought up the war in Iran and reports of poor conditions aboard U.S. military carriers, noting, “Trump’s endless conflict with Iran is spiraling out of control. There are food & water shortages aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln. And our Defense Secretary is campaigning in Iowa. A complete failure of leadership.”
Read a sample of more reactions below:
—
New: The Mediaite One-Sheet "Newsletter of Newsletters"
Your daily summary and analysis of what the many, many media newsletters are saying and reporting. Subscribe now!
Comments
↓ Scroll down for comments ↓