DeSantis To Join Trump At Army-Navy Football Game Amid Cabinet Speculation: Report

President-elect Donald Trump will reportedly be joined by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis at the annual Army-Navy football game next weekend amid reports that Trump would consider his former campaign rival for Secretary of Defense if his current nominee Pete Hegseth can’t win confirmation in the Senate.

Fox News correspondent Bill Melugin posted on X: “Florida Governor @RonDeSantis will attend the Army-Navy football game with President Elect @realDonaldTrump next Saturday, per source familiar with DeSantis’ schedule.”

NEW: Florida Governor @RonDeSantis will attend the Army-Navy football game with President Elect @realDonaldTrump next Saturday, per source familiar with DeSantis’ schedule.

— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) December 6, 2024

The 125th game in the series takes place on Saturday, December 14th, in Landover, Maryland.

The New York Times reported that Trump was having conversations about replacing Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth with DeSantis as Hegseth continues to face intense scrutiny over allegations of sexual misconduct and other forms of misconduct, which Hegseth denies.

Trump, however, maintains that he is committed to Hegseth. On Friday he posted a message of support for Hegseth on Truth Social, writing: “Pete Hegseth is doing very well. His support is strong and deep, much more so than the Fake News would have you believe. He was a great student – Princeton/Harvard educated – with a Military state of mind. He will be a fantastic, high energy, Secretary of Defense, one who leads with charisma and skill. Pete is a WINNER, and there is nothing that can be done to change that!!!”

The Times reported that Trump liked the idea of giving DeSantis the job because it would be a “big story” if he “resurrected DeSantis after defeating him.” Trump is also reportedly impressed with the executive competence that DeSantis has shown governing the state of Florida.

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Hegseth has continued to fight to save his nomination by meeting with U.S. Senators and doing media interviews where he has owned up to past behavior in his personal life, as some reports have indicated up to 8 Republican Senators do not support his nomination. Vice President-elect JD Vance said on Friday that the incoming administration is committed to sending Hegseth’s nomination to the Senate and forcing the issue in the legislature.

“Pete Hegseth is going to get his hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee, not a sham hearing before the American media,” Vance said. “We’re not abandoning this nomination.”