Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has strongly refuted claims from the Washington Post suggesting he is gearing up for a presidential run in 2028. On Friday, DeSantis took to social media to dismiss the report, while rumors in Washington point to him as a potential successor to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.
In a post on X, DeSantis vehemently denied the newspaper's assertions, which were based on three anonymous sources claiming the governor had already reached out to a political consultant for the 2028 race.
"The Washington Post is fabricating this out of thin air. I haven't reached out to anyone about running for anything. It's just another pathetic attempt to get clicks. Of course, using anonymous sources!" wrote the Florida governor.
Despite his denial, the speculation continues on social media, as DeSantis did not unequivocally rule out a future candidacy, only the initiation of specific actions.
DeSantis and the Political Landscape
Prediction markets have assigned him a 13% chance of winning the Republican nomination in 2028, a notable increase from previous weeks, following the recent midterm election results.
The immediate backdrop is the disastrous Republican defeat on Tuesday, where Democrats secured control of both chambers of Congress. In the House of Representatives, they held 254 seats compared to 162 for Republicans, with several races still undecided.
Florida, however, remained resilient. Republican Byron Donalds won the governorship, and Ashley Moody retained her Senate seat, albeit by historically narrow margins. DeSantis himself described the national losses as an "extinction-level event" for the party.
Potential Pentagon Role for DeSantis?
Amid the Republican crisis, CBS News reported on Wednesday, also citing anonymous sources, that Trump was consulting advisors about whether to retain Hegseth at the Pentagon.
One source indicated DeSantis was being considered as a possible replacement, with the advantage of being confirmable by the Senate during the transition session and assuming the role when his gubernatorial term ends on January 5, 2027.
Neither the White House nor DeSantis has confirmed this speculation. Trump dismissed the notion of replacing Hegseth, stating, "No, I think he's doing a very good job," to the American media.
Spokesperson Anna Kelly issued a statement expressing "full confidence" in Hegseth and praised military operations in Iran and Venezuela.
The potential appointment of DeSantis to the Pentagon carries significant implications for the Cuban-American community in South Florida.
Hegseth has played a prominent role in military pressure policies against the Cuban regime. In June, he warned from Guantánamo that Cuba would "quickly find out" the consequences of acquiring weapons capable of reaching the base, and in August, he declared from Panama that "all options are on the table, including military ones" regarding the island.
DeSantis has maintained a similar stance during his years as a political leader in Tallahassee. He signed HB 905 into law at the Bay of Pigs Museum, issued a proclamation to commemorate Cuba's Independence Day in Florida on May 20, and stated in October that he wishes to see Raúl Castro face U.S. courts for the downing of Brothers to the Rescue aircraft.
Looking ahead to 2028, DeSantis would potentially face off against another Florida native in the Republican imagination, Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The relationship between Trump and DeSantis, which soured during the 2024 primaries, has gradually improved. DeSantis suspended his campaign on January 21, 2024, endorsed Trump, and the two met privately near Miami months later.
FAQs on Ron DeSantis and His Political Future
Is Ron DeSantis running for president in 2028?
As of now, Ron DeSantis has denied any plans for a 2028 presidential run, calling recent reports "fabricated" and dismissing them as an attempt to generate clicks.
Could Ron DeSantis be the next Secretary of Defense?
There are rumors suggesting Ron DeSantis could succeed Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense, but neither the White House nor DeSantis has confirmed this possibility.