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DeSantis & Trump to Team Up at Army-Navy Game Amid Speculation Over Defense Secretary Role
Edited by: Fern Sidman
Republican Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida will join President-elect Donald Trump at the annual Army-Navy college football game next weekend, according to two sources familiar with the matter, Fox News reported. The appearance marks the second time this month the two high-profile Republicans will share a stage, fueling speculation about DeSantis’s possible role in Trump’s administration as a potential replacement for Pete Hegseth as defense secretary.
The report on the Fox News website noted that the Army-Navy game, set for December 14 in Landover, Maryland, will be the 125th meeting in this iconic football rivalry. Trump’s attendance follows a tradition he began as president-elect in 2016, attending three more times during his first administration.
Fox News reported that multiple sources have confirmed DeSantis is under serious consideration to lead the Department of Defense, a move that would signal a significant shift in Trump’s cabinet. The discussions gained momentum after DeSantis and Trump appeared together earlier this week at a memorial service for fallen law enforcement officers in Palm Beach County, Florida. According to Fox News’ chief political anchor Bret Baier, Trump himself floated DeSantis’s name during the meeting, underscoring the governor’s prominence in the president-elect’s plans.
DeSantis, a Navy veteran and Iraq War veteran, has gained widespread acclaim in conservative circles for his leadership in Florida, where he was re-elected in a landslide in 2022. Despite their contentious and divisive battle during the GOP presidential primaries, the Fox News report highlighted that DeSantis and Trump have since mended fences, with the governor helping raise funds for Trump during the general election.
The possibility of DeSantis stepping into the Pentagon role arises as Pete Hegseth, Trump’s current pick for defense secretary, faces mounting challenges. According to the information provided in The Fox News report, Hegseth, an Army National Guard officer who served in Afghanistan and Iraq and a former Fox News host, is embroiled in allegations of drinking and sexual misconduct, accusations he has vehemently denied.
In a defiant statement to reporters, Hegseth dismissed media scrutiny, stating, “This will not be a process tried in the media. I don’t answer to anyone in this group. None of you, not to that camera at all. I answer to President Trump, who received 76 million votes on behalf… and a mandate for change.” Hegseth also vowed to abstain from alcohol entirely if confirmed as defense secretary.
Hegseth has been meeting with Republican senators to bolster his case for confirmation. Indicated in The Fox News report was that Trump, for his part, publicly expressed confidence in Hegseth’s abilities, calling him a “fantastic, high-energy Secretary of Defense” in a recent social media post.
DeSantis’s potential nomination to the Pentagon comes as he nears the end of his tenure as governor of Florida. Term-limited and unable to seek re-election in 2026, DeSantis is well-positioned for a prominent role in the Trump administration. The Fox News report highlighted that his naval background and strong conservative credentials make him an attractive candidate for the defense secretary position.
The move would also signal a deepening alliance between DeSantis and Trump, a partnership that seemed unlikely during their bitter primary feud. Fox News reported that their reconciliation has strengthened Republican unity, with DeSantis emerging as a key ally in Trump’s broader political strategy.
The Army-Navy game, as indicated in the Fox News report, is not just a historic football rivalry but a deeply symbolic event celebrating the nation’s military traditions. Trump’s attendance alongside DeSantis would serve as a powerful backdrop for the ongoing speculation surrounding the defense secretary role, reinforcing their shared ties to the military and national defense.
Fox News emphasized that the game has often been a venue for presidents and president-elects to showcase their support for the armed forces. For DeSantis, a Navy veteran, the event offers a fitting platform to underscore his military service and leadership potential.
As the Army-Navy game approaches, the political dynamics surrounding Trump’s cabinet picks will continue to unfold. Fox News reported that the president-elect’s decision regarding the defense secretary position remains uncertain, with both Hegseth and DeSantis presenting compelling yet contrasting options. Regardless of the outcome, the high-profile appearance of Trump and DeSantis at the game will undoubtedly draw significant attention, further cementing their roles in shaping the future of the Republican Party and the nation’s defense policy.
