(NewsNation) — Bill O’Reilly believes President-elect Donald Trump is aware that certain Cabinet picks, including Pete Hegseth, are unlikely to succeed, but still wants to “send a message to MAGA supporters” about his intent to “blow the swamp up.”
“Hegseth will not be the next secretary of defense,” O’Reilly said on “CUOMO.” “Trump knows that.”
O’Reilly argued that Trump intentionally nominates figures who are unlikely to be confirmed, calling it part of the former president’s strategic messaging.
O’Reilly compared Hegseth’s nomination to picks like Matt Gaetz for attorney general and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for health secretary.
“Trump is a genius at messaging, and that’s why he won the election,” he added.
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Trump is reportedly considering replacing Hegseth with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis or Sen. Bill Hagerty, according to sources familiar with the transition.
Republican senators have concerns about sexual assault allegations against Hegseth, a former Fox News personality, sources told NewsNation. A source said discussions with DeSantis have been ongoing since last week and that the governor is interested.
A separate source told NewsNation that Hegseth has been on “shaky ground” for a few days and this is a critical period in his confirmation process, if it is going to succeed.
Hegseth posted on X on Wednesday morning that he will not be withdrawing his candidacy.
“I’m doing this for the warfighters, not the warmongers,” he wrote. “The Left is afraid of disrupters and change agents. They are afraid of @realDonaldTrump—and me. So they smear w/ fake, anonymous sources & BS stories. They don’t want truth. Our warriors never back down, & neither will I.”
NewsNation’s “The Hill” contributed to this report.
