Political pundits have already called the flatline of Pete Hegseth's nomination to lead the Department of Defense, but he's still lingering around Washington.
Speaking to MSNBC on Friday, Matthew Dowd, a former strategist for George W. Bush's presidential campaign, made it clear that Trump has strong opinions about alcoholism and those with drinking problems.
"Donald Trump is exceedingly smart at politics, and Donald Trump — and it's been reported in other places — that he was taken aback because they asked him and Pete Hegseth a series of questions, and Pete Hegseth never copped to any of this stuff and never told them," said Dowd.
ALSO READ: 'It's offensive': Multiple senators object to Trump's plan to usher in Pete Hegseth
"I think Donald Trump doesn't want to be embarrassed," he continued. "As the Reverend said, it's all about performance. I think that this — for Pete Hegseth, he is Bruce Willis in the 'Sixth Sense.' He is dead, and he doesn't know it yet, and the senators hope he passes away without him having to pronounce it."
Still, the Fox News weekend co-host pledges to soldier on.
Earlier this week it was leaked that Trump was talking to Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) as a possible replacement for Hegseth. So, while Trump is saying on Truth Social he continues to stand behind Hegseth, he's also attending the Army-Navy game with DeSantis, who was in the Navy. Hegseth was in the Army, though it is unclear if he was invited.
Marc Caputo wrote for The Bulwark that the Trump team has appreciated that Hegseth has helped take the spotlight off other controversial figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard.
"Hegseth is a heatshield," a senior Trump adviser told the Bulwark. "Pete can take the heat, and that’s better for everyone else."
See the video below or at the link here.