In a dramatic turnaround, the MAGA movement is celebrating renewed momentum behind Pete Hegseth’s nomination to lead the Pentagon. Once on shaky ground, Hegseth’s chances of confirmation have improved significantly thanks to a concerted campaign by Vice President-elect J.D. Vance, conservative media, and key allies of President-elect Donald Trump. While his confirmation is not yet secured, Hegseth now appears poised for a hearing and is on firmer footing than he was just days ago.
The MAGA Machine in Action
Sources within Trump’s circle credit the revival of Hegseth’s nomination to a multifaceted strategy. Vice President-elect Vance (R-Ohio) worked tirelessly behind the scenes to lobby skeptical senators, while high-profile conservatives like Donald Trump Jr. and Charlie Kirk applied public pressure through media and social platforms. At the same time, Hegseth took to the airwaves, addressing allegations of sexual misconduct and excessive drinking that have dogged his past, and vowing to overhaul Pentagon policies he deemed overly focused on “woke” diversity initiatives.
“Last week was a masterclass in how to bring somebody back from the brink,” said one Trump ally.
President-elect Trump, initially silent on the controversy, has since thrown his full support behind Hegseth. He praised his nominee in a series of social media posts and during an interview on Meet the Press, signaling to GOP senators that he expects party loyalty to prevail.
A Strategic Fight for Confirmation
Hegseth’s path to confirmation remains narrow, as he can afford to lose no more than three GOP votes if Democrats unanimously oppose him. His prospects seemed dim last week when Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was rumored as a potential replacement, a move that reportedly irked Hegseth’s supporters. In response, Hegseth’s mother made a rare appearance on Fox News to rally public support, and the nominee himself went on Megyn Kelly’s SiriusXM show to defend his candidacy.
Key senators like John Cornyn (R-Texas) have stepped in to ensure Hegseth’s nomination remains viable. Cornyn confirmed he personally reached out to Trump to secure his commitment to the pick, emphasizing that the president’s unwavering support was essential to persuading other GOP lawmakers.
“I wanted to make sure that he was committed to the nomination and he told me he was. That’s what I needed to know,” Cornyn said.
High Stakes for Trump’s Cabinet Picks
The stakes of Hegseth’s confirmation extend far beyond his potential tenure as Defense Secretary. Trump allies fear that allowing Hegseth to fail could embolden opposition to other nominees, including Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Health and Human Services Secretary. Both are expected to face contentious hearings due to their unconventional views on foreign policy and health issues.
“Some of these people, whether it’s RFK, or Pete or even Tulsi to an extent, these people are outside-the-box reformers, and that’s what [Trump] wants,” said a Republican strategist close to the administration.
Pressure on GOP Senators
The nomination fight has placed senators like Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) under intense scrutiny. A veteran and survivor of sexual assault, Ernst serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee and is seen as a pivotal vote. Conservative commentators and advocacy groups have targeted Ernst and others, accusing them of undermining Trump’s agenda. Building America’s Future, a political action group previously backed by Elon Musk, launched a $500,000 ad campaign urging voters to demand their senators support Hegseth.
Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), a staunch Trump ally, emphasized the president’s prerogative to pick his own team. “I’m the head coach and I’m going to hire an offensive coordinator. I’m going to hire who I want. I’m not going to have people tell me,” he said, summing up Trump’s stance.
What’s Next?
Hegseth’s confirmation hearing will serve as a litmus test for Trump’s influence over Senate Republicans as he prepares for more battles over his Cabinet picks. For now, the president-elect and his allies appear to have succeeded in stabilizing Hegseth’s nomination, proving their ability to mount a fierce and coordinated defense of their chosen candidates.
.jpg)
