Trump continues support as Hegseth might 'implode on his own'
Trump brushes aside controversies surrounding the Pentagon; however, increasing concerns are being raised about the sustainability of this stance.
TroibNews 
President Donald Trump has offered both private reassurances and public support for Pete Hegseth in recent days. However, doubts are increasing among Trump’s associates regarding how much longer the beleaguered Defense Secretary can maintain his position.
While both Trump and Hegseth have dismissed leaks from former Pentagon officials, two individuals close to the White House indicated on Monday that Hegseth still faces significant challenges, as the issues within the Defense Department are substantial.
These two sources spoke anonymously about internal personnel matters. One mentioned that the former Fox News Channel host might “implode on his own.”
The other source pointed out that while Trump appreciates Hegseth’s “vitality and youthfulness,” the ongoing distractions and chaos within the Pentagon might wear on him. They stated, “Central Casting can become problematic if all they're doing is generating questions of instability,” highlighting that one of those Hegseth dismissed last week was his own former chief of staff.
“What's so troubling about it is — it's not like these were people that were forced upon Pete. They were his own guys he had to get rid of,” the second source noted.
After a former Pentagon spokesperson criticized Hegseth's leadership in a PMG opinion piece, Trump and Hegseth had a private conversation. The spokesperson claimed that “the building is in disarray under Hegseth’s leadership.”
According to a person familiar with the private discussion, Trump’s message of support for Hegseth remained consistent with his public stance. For the time being, he continues to back Hegseth, as confirmed by the individual and two others knowledgeable about Trump’s position.
Trump, who strongly advocated for Hegseth's confirmation as Defense Secretary, supported him following a journalist mistakenly revealing that Hegseth had shared classified information in an unsecured channel.
Despite the recent controversies—including the PMG opinion article, last week’s dismissals, and a New York Times report alleging that Hegseth had sent sensitive details about a Yemen attack in a Signal group with family members—Trump and key figures in his circle remain generally supportive. Hegseth’s situation is further complicated by the knowledge that replacing him would necessitate another confirmation process, according to three sources.
One insider suggested that it's more probable Trump may choose to diminish Hegseth’s role rather than fire him. However, this could create its own complications, given the importance of the Defense Secretary's role in the Cabinet and national security.
While interacting with reporters during the White House Easter Egg Roll, Trump criticized the “fake news” media, labeling the criticism of Hegseth as “a waste of time” and attributing it to “disgruntled employees.”
“Pete is doing a great job. Ask the Houthis how he's doing,” Trump quipped, referencing U.S. military actions against Houthi targets in Yemen. He added that Hegseth “was put there to get rid of a lot of bad people, and that's what he's doing. So you don't always have friends when that happens."
Donald Trump Jr. also expressed support for Hegseth by denouncing John Ullyot, the PMG op-ed's author, on X, signaling strong backing for Hegseth from the MAGA base. He stated, “This guy is not America First... That ends today. He’s officially exiled from our movement.”
A source and two additional individuals close to the administration suggested Trump sees a connection with Hegseth given their shared experiences of criticism from former colleagues. They likened the backlash Hegseth faces from former Pentagon officials to the challenges Trump encountered during his first term from individuals like Miles Taylor, John Kelly, and Mark Milley.
While many officials within the Trump administration believe Hegseth's position is secure for now, some privately express concern about the internal situation at the Pentagon.
“There are some people who think Pete's not doing the best job,” one of the close associates remarked. “But the president likes him, the MAGA orbit is united behind Pete, and we’ve seen for years now that op-eds from former staffers never really move the needle with Trump.”
A third source agreed but warned that Trump’s support can waver. “Trump goes to bat for people until the moment he flips on them. That’s always a possibility,” they cautioned.
At the Easter Egg Roll, Hegseth confronted a small group of reporters and criticized their coverage.
“This group right here — full of hoaxsters,” Hegseth said. “Full of hoaxsters that peddle anonymous sources from leakers with axes to grind and then you put it all together as if it’s some news story.”
However, he did not dispute the claims from the New York Times report about including family members in his group chat.
“I have spoken to the president and we are going to continue fighting,” he asserted. “On the same page all the way.”
Olivia Brown for TROIB News
While both Trump and Hegseth have dismissed leaks from former Pentagon officials, two individuals close to the White House indicated on Monday that Hegseth still faces significant challenges, as the issues within the Defense Department are substantial.
These two sources spoke anonymously about internal personnel matters. One mentioned that the former Fox News Channel host might “implode on his own.”
The other source pointed out that while Trump appreciates Hegseth’s “vitality and youthfulness,” the ongoing distractions and chaos within the Pentagon might wear on him. They stated, “Central Casting can become problematic if all they're doing is generating questions of instability,” highlighting that one of those Hegseth dismissed last week was his own former chief of staff.
“What's so troubling about it is — it's not like these were people that were forced upon Pete. They were his own guys he had to get rid of,” the second source noted.
After a former Pentagon spokesperson criticized Hegseth's leadership in a PMG opinion piece, Trump and Hegseth had a private conversation. The spokesperson claimed that “the building is in disarray under Hegseth’s leadership.”
According to a person familiar with the private discussion, Trump’s message of support for Hegseth remained consistent with his public stance. For the time being, he continues to back Hegseth, as confirmed by the individual and two others knowledgeable about Trump’s position.
Trump, who strongly advocated for Hegseth's confirmation as Defense Secretary, supported him following a journalist mistakenly revealing that Hegseth had shared classified information in an unsecured channel.
Despite the recent controversies—including the PMG opinion article, last week’s dismissals, and a New York Times report alleging that Hegseth had sent sensitive details about a Yemen attack in a Signal group with family members—Trump and key figures in his circle remain generally supportive. Hegseth’s situation is further complicated by the knowledge that replacing him would necessitate another confirmation process, according to three sources.
One insider suggested that it's more probable Trump may choose to diminish Hegseth’s role rather than fire him. However, this could create its own complications, given the importance of the Defense Secretary's role in the Cabinet and national security.
While interacting with reporters during the White House Easter Egg Roll, Trump criticized the “fake news” media, labeling the criticism of Hegseth as “a waste of time” and attributing it to “disgruntled employees.”
“Pete is doing a great job. Ask the Houthis how he's doing,” Trump quipped, referencing U.S. military actions against Houthi targets in Yemen. He added that Hegseth “was put there to get rid of a lot of bad people, and that's what he's doing. So you don't always have friends when that happens."
Donald Trump Jr. also expressed support for Hegseth by denouncing John Ullyot, the PMG op-ed's author, on X, signaling strong backing for Hegseth from the MAGA base. He stated, “This guy is not America First... That ends today. He’s officially exiled from our movement.”
A source and two additional individuals close to the administration suggested Trump sees a connection with Hegseth given their shared experiences of criticism from former colleagues. They likened the backlash Hegseth faces from former Pentagon officials to the challenges Trump encountered during his first term from individuals like Miles Taylor, John Kelly, and Mark Milley.
While many officials within the Trump administration believe Hegseth's position is secure for now, some privately express concern about the internal situation at the Pentagon.
“There are some people who think Pete's not doing the best job,” one of the close associates remarked. “But the president likes him, the MAGA orbit is united behind Pete, and we’ve seen for years now that op-eds from former staffers never really move the needle with Trump.”
A third source agreed but warned that Trump’s support can waver. “Trump goes to bat for people until the moment he flips on them. That’s always a possibility,” they cautioned.
At the Easter Egg Roll, Hegseth confronted a small group of reporters and criticized their coverage.
“This group right here — full of hoaxsters,” Hegseth said. “Full of hoaxsters that peddle anonymous sources from leakers with axes to grind and then you put it all together as if it’s some news story.”
However, he did not dispute the claims from the New York Times report about including family members in his group chat.
“I have spoken to the president and we are going to continue fighting,” he asserted. “On the same page all the way.”
Olivia Brown for TROIB News
