Donald Trump in talks to replace defence nominee Pete Hegseth

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Donald Trump has discussed replacing Pete Hegseth, his controversial nominee to lead the Pentagon, with candidates including Ron DeSantis, the governor of Florida, according to two people close to the talks.

The discussions over Hegseth’s fate have unfolded as support for the Fox News host’s confirmation among Senate Republicans has ebbed away in recent days with the emergence of increasingly damning allegations of sexual misconduct.

If Trump were to tap DeSantis as defence secretary, it would be a remarkable twist in the two men’s relationship after they squared off during the 2024 Republican presidential primary.

Although DeSantis occasionally criticised Trump on policy, he was careful to shy away from any personal attacks on the former president and defended him as he faced a string of criminal charges throughout the campaign.

But if DeSantis were to move to the Pentagon, he would lose his perch as Florida governor, which gives him a degree of political independence from Trump that could help him if he decides to make another presidential run in 2028.

A spokesperson for DeSantis did not respond to a request for comment. The Trump transition team declined to comment. Trump’s consideration of DeSantis for the Pentagon post was first reported by the Wall Street Journal.

Trump’s aides have defended Hegseth’s ability to lead the Pentagon even as his chances of securing Senate confirmation have dwindled. A defiant Hegseth told reporters on Wednesday that Trump had told him to “keep going, keep fighting”.

He also posted on X: “I’m doing this for the warfighters, not the warmongers. The Left is afraid of disrupters and change agents. They are afraid of Donald Trump — and me. So they smear w/ fake, anonymous sources & BS stories. They don’t want truth. Our warriors never back down, & neither will I.”

But Hegseth has been losing crucial support on Capitol Hill on the back of allegations of sexual misconduct and financial misconduct at two veterans’ groups that he headed.

“I think some of these articles are very disturbing. He obviously has a chance to defend himself here, but some of this stuff is going to be difficult,” Lindsey Graham, the South Carolina Republican senator, told CBS on Tuesday.

If Hegseth were to withdraw from contention, he would be the second Trump cabinet nominee to be forced out due to controversy. Former Florida congressman Matt Gaetz, Trump’s pick for attorney-general, withdrew after allegations of sexual misconduct and drug use. He was swiftly replaced by longtime ally and two-term Florida attorney-general Pam Bondi.

Aside from DeSantis, another possible contender to be defence secretary is Iowa Republican senator Joni Ernst, one person close to the discussions said, adding that both she and the Florida governor would have a better chance of being confirmed than Hegseth.