The sneaky motivation behind JD Vance’s support for Pete Hegseth as Defense secretary

JD Vance is fighting for his political future by lobbying to get Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth confirmed, according to ex-White House Press Chief Anthony Scaramucci.

Hegseth, a veteran has faced resurfaced allegations of sexual assault and claims he was drunk at work, both of which he has denied, in addition to controversial views on women and LGBTQ soldiers.

In meetings with senators on Capitol Hill he has vowed to stay sober if his nomination to be the Pentagon chief succeeds.

Vance has been a huge part of lobbying his Senate colleagues around the confirmation of Hegseth, regardless. 

Scaramucci – whose infamous 10-day tenure as press secretary in 2017 made him a household name – believes that its a matter of Vance protecting his status as Trump’s heir apparent over Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

In recent weeks, rumors have flown that Trump wants to make a deal with DeSantis to take the job, which ‘The Mooch’ believes Vance wants stopped at all costs.   

‘I’ve heard… that Trump’s ready to give up on [Hegseth], he’s getting pushback from JD Vance, he’s getting pushback from Susie Wiles,’ he said on The Rest is Politics podcast. 

‘Why would he be? JD Vance wants to be Trump’s heir apparent, he doesn’t want a potential competitor for the 2028 presidential nomination to have a more significant job,’ Scaramucci added, referring to DeSantis. 

He declared the job of defense secretary to be ‘more important’ than that of the vice presidency, because the VP is ‘not in a seat of influence’ unless Trump vacates the office.

‘So there’s some infighting, Susie dislikes DeSantis right now, I don’t know what happened there but they’ve been fighting.’

It is believed that all of this could come to a head on a very different playing field: that of the Army-Navy college football game on Saturday in Philadelphia.

Hegseth – who served in the Army – and DeSantis – a Navy veteran – will be there along with both Trump and Vance.

Scaramucci believes Trump regained his esteem for former primary competitor DeSantis because he immediately endorsed after dropping out of the presidential race.

‘He’s ready to give up on Hegseth,’ Scaramucci says but believes the former Fox News anchor believes he can ‘wear down’ the Senate into getting confirmed. 

Last week, it was revealed that Trump is actively negotiating to replace Hegseth with DeSantis as his pick to head Defense in exchange for Trump’s daughter-in-law Lara getting Florida‘s open Senate seat. 

Reports suggest the relationship between the friends turned enemies has undergone a ‘remarkable turnaround’ as the president-elect continues advanced talks to make the Florida governor his new nominee to run the Pentagon. 

The Florida governor and Trump have reportedly had one-on-one discussions about the move. 

A GOP source told The Bulwark: ‘These discussions are real. It’s serious. I can’t say it’s definitely going to happen, but the governor is receptive and Trump is serious, too.’

DailyMail.com has reached out to the Trump-Vance transition team for comment. 

It would be another turn in the long-running intertwining of the political fortunes for Trump and DeSantis – who ran against Trump in the Republican Primary before dropping out.

Trump has reportedly been willing to call for a fresh start between the two biggest stars of American conservatism.

A source suggested that the discussions with DeSantis are a sign that Hegseth’s on thin ice, despite a media tour in an attempt to improve things. 

‘I’m not sure what Pete is going to say, but right now he looks like a goner. Trump talking to DeSantis while this is all going on is a sure sign that Trump doesn’t think Pete is gonna make it.’ 

The choice of former Fox News host Hegseth to lead the Defense Department is battling a tricky confirmation after past allegations of sexual misconduct and excessive drinking resurfaced. 

Hegseth vowed not to drink if he is confirmed to the Pentagon’s top job after a deluge of negative stories highlighting his consumption.

His promise comes as lawmakers are skeptical of his qualifications to lead the Pentagon – the nation’s largest employer with over 2 million under its purview and an $800 billion budget. 

The confirmation has become more difficult as a steady stream of negative reports have come out highlighting his alleged binge drinking and and questionable behavior around women.

Hegseth, 44, has also been accused of sexual assault and getting too intoxicated while on the job to the point of being forced out of a leadership role for a veterans group.

Another recent NBC News report claims 10 current and former Fox News staffers said they were concerned about his drinking and could smell alcohol on him ‘as recently as last month.’ 

Though many of the reports cite anonymous sources, something Republicans are quick to point out, they have added additional claims to the pile of materials the Senate must mull through ahead of Hegseth’s confirmation. 

The turmoil only worsened when a New York Times report published a 2018 email from Hegseth’s mother calling her son an ‘abuser of women.’

However, on Sunday, Trump acknowledged he was aware of the drama that’s surrounded Hegseth since he was put up for the role, but appeared unfazed by the critics. 

‘It looks like Pete is doing well now,’ Trump told NBC News. ‘I mean, people were a bit concerned. He’s a young guy, with a tremendous track record actually. 

‘He went to Princeton and went to Harvard. He was a good student at both. But he loves the military and I think people are starting to see it so we’ll be working on his nomination along with a lot of others.’

The president-elect slammed the ‘fake news’ and insisted the former Fox News host’s support is ‘strong and deep’ as he battles to get the votes needed for his nomination.

In his NBC interview, Trump maintained confidence in Hegseth’s ability for the role. 

‘He’s a very smart guy. I’ve known him through Fox, but I’ve known him for a long time,’ Trump said. 

‘And he’s basically a military guy,’ he added. ‘Every time I talk to him, all he wants to talk about is the military. He’s a military guy.’ 

The former president also noted how ‘a lot of senators call me up saying he’s fantastic’, NBC News reported.

When Trump was asked if he had any concerns with Hegseth’s struggle with alcohol – which Hegseth has since vowed to cut out if the nomination works out – his short answer was no.

‘But I’ve spoken to people that know him very well and they say he does not have a drinking problem,’ Trump responded.

Trump continued his support online, sharing on Truth Social on Friday night he fully believes Hegseth is a ‘winner’. 

‘Pete Hegseth is doing very well. His support is strong and deep, much more so than the Fake News would have you believe,’ he wrote. 

‘He was a great student – Princeton/Harvard educated – with a Military state of mind. He will be a fantastic, high energy, Secretary of Defense Defense, one who leads with charisma and skill. 

‘Pete is a winner, and there is nothing that can be done to change that!!!’ 

A Trump transition spokesperson also called the claims following Hegseth ‘completely unfounded and false’, NBC News reported Tuesday.