JD Vance is fighting for his political future by lobbying to get Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth confirmed, according to ex-White House press secretary Anthony Scaramucci.
Hegseth, a veteran, has faced resurfaced allegations of sexual assault and claims he was drunk on the job, both of which he has denied, along with controversial views on women and LGBTQ soldiers.
During meetings with senators on Capitol Hill, he has vowed to remain level-headed if his nomination to head the Pentagon is successful.
Regardless, Vance has been instrumental in lobbying his Senate colleagues around Hegseth’s nomination.
Scaramucci — whose infamous 10-day stint as press secretary made him a household name in 2017 — believes it’s a matter of Vance protecting his status as Trump’s heir apparent over Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
Rumors have swirled in recent weeks that Trump wants to make a deal with DeSantis to take over the job, which ‘The Mooch’ believes Vance wants to stop at all costs.
“I heard… that Trump is ready to give up on (Hegseth), he’s getting pushback from J.D. Vance, he’s getting pushback from Susie Wiles,” he said on The Rest is Politics podcast.
‘Why would that be him? JD Vance wants to be Trump’s heir apparent, he doesn’t want a potential competitor for the 2028 presidential nomination to get a more important job,” Scaramucci added, referring to DeSantis.
JD Vance is fighting for his political future by lobbying to get Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth confirmed, according to ex-White House press secretary Anthony Scaramucci
He stated that the job of secretary of defense is “more important” than that of vice presidency because the VP “has no influence” unless Trump leaves office.
‘So there is a mutual struggle. Susie hates DeSantis right now. I don’t know what happened there, but they fought.’
It’s believed this could all come to a head on a very different playing field: that of Saturday’s Army-Navy college football game in Philadelphia.
Hegseth – who served in the Army – and DeSantis – a Navy veteran – will be in attendance, along with both Trump and Vance.
Scaramucci believes Trump has regained his appreciation for former primary rival DeSantis because he immediately showed his support after withdrawing from the presidential race.
“He’s willing to give up on Hegseth,” Scaramucci said, but he believes the former Fox News host believes he can “exhaust” the Senate to be confirmed.
Last week it was announced that Trump is actively negotiating replace Hegseth with DeSantis as his choice to lead Defense in exchange for getting Trump’s daughter-in-law Lara Florida‘s open Senate seat.
Reports suggest the relationship between the friends-turned-enemies has undergone a “remarkable turnaround” as the president-elect continues talks to make the Florida governor his new nominee to lead the Pentagon.
Scaramucci — whose infamous 10-day stint as press secretary made him a household name in 2017 — believes it’s a matter of Vance protecting his status as Trump’s heir apparent over Florida Governor Ron DeSantis
Donald Trump expressed confidence in the choice of Pete Hegseth as his defense secretary, amid a long series of allegations about the former Fox News host’s personal life.
Florida’s governor and Trump reportedly had one-on-one conversations about the measure.
A GOP source said The stronghold: ‘These discussions are real. It’s serious. I can’t say it will definitely happen, but the governor is open to it and Trump means it too.’
DailyMail.com has contacted the Trump-Vance transition team for comment.
It would mark a new twist in the long-standing intertwine of political fortunes for Trump and DeSantis — who ran against Trump in the Republican primaries before dropping out.
Trump has reportedly been ready to call for a fresh start between the two biggest stars of American conservatism.
One source suggested the talks with DeSantis are a sign that Hegseth is on thin ice despite a media tour in an effort to improve matters.
“I’m not sure what Pete’s going to say, but right now he looks like an asshole. If Trump is talking to DeSantis while all this is going on, that’s a sign that Trump doesn’t think Pete is going to make it.”
Former Fox News host Hegseth’s pick to lead the Defense Department is grappling with a tough confirmation after previous allegations of sexual misconduct and excessive drinking resurfaced.
Hegseth finds himself on thin ice as reports of excessive alcohol abuse and sexual misconduct have cast doubt on his ability to run the Pentagon
Hegseth vowed not to drink if confirmed to the Pentagon’s top job after a flood of negative stories spotlighting his consumption.
His pledge comes as lawmakers are skeptical of his qualifications to lead the Pentagon — the nation’s largest employer, with more than 2 million under its purview and a budget of $800 billion.
Confirmation has become more difficult as a steady stream of negative reports have emerged highlighting his alleged binge drinking and questionable behavior towards women.
Hegseth, 44, has also been accused of assault and getting so drunk on the job that he was forced out of his leadership role for a veterans group.
Another recent one NBC news report claims that 10 current and former Fox News employees said they were concerned about his drinking and that they could smell alcohol on him “as early as last month.”
While many of the reports cite anonymous sources, something Republicans are quick to point out, they have added additional claims to the pile of material the Senate must go through before confirming Hegseth.
The unrest only got worse when a New York Times report published a 2018 email in which Hegseth’s mother called her son a “woman abuser.”
On Sunday, however, Trump acknowledged that he was aware of the drama that has surrounded Hegseth since he was cast in the role, but seemed unfazed by the critics.
Trump expressed confidence in his decision to pick Pete Hegseth as his defense secretary during an exclusive interview with ‘Meet the Press’ moderator Kristen Welker
“It looks like Pete is doing well now,” Trump said NBC News. “I mean, people were a little concerned. He’s a young guy, with a great track record.
“He went to Princeton and went to Harvard. He was a good student in both. But he loves the military and I think people are starting to see it, so we’ll be working with a lot of others on his nomination.”
The president-elect denounced “fake news” and emphasized that the former Fox News host’s support is “strong and deep” as he fights to get the votes needed for his nomination.
In his NBC interview, Trump remained confident in Hegseth’s ability for the role.
‘He’s a very smart guy. I know him through Fox, but I’ve known him for a long time,” Trump said.
“And he’s actually a military man,” he added. “Every time I talk to him, all he wants to talk about is the military. He’s a soldier.’
The former president also noted that “a lot of senators are calling me and saying he’s great,” according to NBC News.
When Trump was asked if he was concerned about Hegseth’s struggle with alcohol — which Hegseth has since vowed to eliminate if the nomination is successful — his short answer was no.
“But I’ve talked to people who know him very well and they say he doesn’t have a drinking problem,” Trump responded.
Trump continued his support online, sharing on Truth Social on Friday night that he fully believes Hegseth is a “winner.”
‘Pete Hegseth is doing very well. His support is strong and deep, much more than the Fake News would have you believe,” he wrote.
“He was a great student – educated at Princeton/Harvard – with a military mindset. He will be a fantastic, energetic Secretary of Defense, someone who leads with charisma and skill.
“Pete is a winner, and nothing can change that!!!”
A Trump transition spokesman also called the claims after Hegseth “completely baseless and false,” NBC News reported Tuesday.