WASHINGTON D.C (VINnews)— Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has privately floated the idea of running for political office in 2026, including a possible bid for Governor of Tennessee, according to an exclusive report by NBC News.
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Citing unnamed sources familiar with the conversations, NBC reports that Hegseth has had informal discussions about transitioning from his current cabinet position to a statewide race, which could trigger his resignation or removal from the Department of Defense.
However, the Pentagon swiftly denied the report. In a strongly worded statement, Pentagon Chief Spokesman Sean Parnell slammed NBC’s reporting and reaffirmed Hegseth’s commitment to his current role.
“Fake news NBC is so desperate for attention, they are shopping around a made up story… again,” Parnell said. “Only two options exist: either the ‘sources’ are imaginary or these reporters are getting punked. Secretary Hegseth’s focus remains solely on serving under President Trump and advancing the America First mission at the Department of Defense.”
Hegseth, a former Army officer and Fox News contributor, was appointed by President Trump to lead the Pentagon following the 2024 election. A staunch conservative and vocal advocate for the administration’s military and foreign policy agenda, Hegseth has previously been floated as a potential candidate for elected office, though he has never formally entered a race.
NBC’s report has not yet been corroborated by other outlets, and Hegseth himself has not publicly addressed the claims.
If he were to launch a gubernatorial campaign, Hegseth would likely enter a competitive Republican primary in a state with a deep bench of conservative candidates. Tennessee’s current Republican governor, Bill Lee, is term-limited and cannot seek re-election.