Hegseth Plots Jaw-Droppingly Ambitious Move That Will Anger Trump

Former Fox News personality and all-round macho-man Pete Hegseth wants to be your next president, according to officials familiar with the self-proclaimed Secretary of War's thinking.

Those sources, who spoke anonymously in order to be frank about the Trump Cabinet member's ambitions, told the Washington Post that Hegseth's trip to Iowa on Monday suggests he may very well have his sights set on the White House. The Defense Secretary, 46, headed out to stump for GOP Rep. Zach Nunn in the battleground state, where presidential hopefuls have historically tested their mettle.

He also stumped for Sen. Darline Graham in the early presidential primary state of South Carolina last week.

He also showed up for congressional candidate Ed Gallrein in his successful primary run against incumbent Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie earlier in May. CBS notes that it's rare for any sitting defense secretary to head out campaigning for candidates.

The Daily Beast has contacted the Pentagon for comment on claims made by the Post's sources. A spokesperson for the department told the newspaper that Hegseth was visiting Iowa "in his personal capacity," and that he'd only be using military aircraft for the trip "due to the continuous need for secure communications and responsive transportation for national security."

Claims of Hegseth's presidential ambitions will not go over well with the man who currently sits in the Oval Office. Trump has spent the year batting away questions about who succeeds him, pitting Vance against Secretary of State Marco Rubio for his blessing as heir to the MAGA throne while toying with voters by suggesting he may even run for a constitution-busting third term himself. A Cabinet secretary working a battleground state is the kind of news item he tends to notice.