Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida will join President-elect Trump at the annual Army-Navy college football game next weekend, sources tell Fox News. This teaming up comes as Trump is considering DeSantis as a possible replacement for Pete Hegseth, Trump’s embattled nominee to be defense secretary. DeSantis, a Navy veteran who served in the Iraq War, had a bitter battle with Trump during the GOP presidential nomination race, but the two seemed to make peace after the primaries.
DeSantis is “very much” in contention to replace Hegseth, multiple sources told Fox News. Hegseth has been facing allegations of drinking and sexual misconduct, which he has denied. Trump has defended Hegseth, stating that he “will be a fantastic, high energy, Secretary of Defense…one who leads with charisma and skill.”
The move comes as Hegseth continues to meet with Republican senators to make his case for confirmation. DeSantis, who is term-limited and cannot run for re-election in 2026, has been re-elected in a landslide in 2022 and has been discussed as a potential replacement for Hegseth.
The Army-Navy game is scheduled for December 14 in Landover, Maryland, and will be the 125th game in the storied football series between the two military service academies. Trump has attended the game as president-elect in 2016 and three additional times during his first administration.