A posting on Donald Trump's Truth Social platform that Fox News personality Pete Hegseth might be pushed aside as the Department of Defense secretary set off a furious backlash among supporters of the president-elect.
Late Tuesday both the Wall Street Journal and The Bulwark reported that Hegseth could be out of the running for the Cabinet position after a series of reports about his alleged drinking problems while he worked at Fox News and when he headed up several veterans organizations.
That, in turn, led to reports that Trump has been in talks with Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) to be tabbed as the new nominee if and when Hegseth either steps aside or is pushed out by allies of Trump.
ALSO READ: EXCLUSIVE: Senate Dems consider whether Biden should ‘clear the slate’ and pardon TrumpWhile Trump seems to have buried the hatchet with the Florida lawmaker, his MAGA supporters are not ready to forgive DeSantis for running against the former president for the 2024 presidential nomination.
In the comments on Truth Social, several suggested the reports on Hegseth are part of a plot by the deep state to install "Republican In Name Only" (RINO) DeSantis in the Cabinet so he can undercut the incoming administration.
As Truth Social ("Activist spirit! I believe in action not words. Straight shooter. I call it like I see it and will tell you so") commenter FreedomBarbie, put it: "Who’s leaking this? It may be true, but we haven’t heard it from DJT. Grain of salt. Still, there should be no more caving to rinos and democrats. DJT should get his picks. We didn’t fight fight fight! To cave cave cave."
"He is a Backstabber! I would not trust him with a 10 foot pole! He should not be in trumps cabinet," raged Ultra tinilovesfamily who Truth Social feed is littered with posts supporting Trump appointee Kash Patel.
JHaas, whose bio states, "God, family, country, Corps and Trump...2/5 for life!' contributed, "Fk that, they already got Gaetz, we secede another and the deep state shtbags will smell blood.. No sir.. Stand strong, that's who we are."
"Cannot be true. DeSanctimonious is an ingrate. He is disloyal. He will back-stab @realDonaldTrump and the country in order to advance. No shame," complained Iilyn who previously posted that Trump is "the most powerful man on earth."
Adliig, whose bio states, "Just a guy that believes in Jesus, personal responsibility and conservative principles," wrote, "I still want to see Hegseth in that role. No charges, and others flat out saying the drunkeness charges are a lie. Would not surprise me if this is another deep-State, Rino operation."
"The six Rinos better vote to confirm Pete or they will get Primaried and replaced…. Elon has already placed All Rinos to get on board or he will Use his Anti-Rino Super PAC to kick them out…" sash007, who avidly re-posts Trump's Truth Social comments, threatened.
Ivinsman, (" Preferred pronoun: MAGA"), added, "I’m sick & tired of seeing the same RINO’s on the list of Trump back stabbers . Easy pickings for a MAGA candidate to challenge & replace them their next go- around. Of course Mitch will be put out to pasture by then anyway."