The defense secretary has floated a White House run with close friends and associates, two people said. And Hegseth sparked speculation with an event in Iowa this month.
Hegseth isn’t Trump. MAGA is a classic Cult of Personality, and it is ALL about Trump. Once he assumes room temperature, MAGA is finished.
Some of his followers, especially the politicians, will try to keep it going, but 90% of street level MAGAs were on board because of Trump, and once he’s gone, their interest in politics will wane. None of his henchmen or children will be acceptable, even though there will be many who will claim to be his chosen, or logical, successor, but NONE of them will attract the Trumper.
Besides, MAGA is down to less than 30%. It will be far lower after Trump croaks. Even if they could rally around a MAGA candidate, there won’t be the support. And of all the MAGA figures, the guy that helped Trump break his America First promise definitely won’t be the guy. Neither will Vance. Rubio has the only shot, because he still has non-MAGA creds, but he will also be tainted with MAGA, so it won’t work.
Hegseth isn’t Trump. MAGA is a classic Cult of Personality, and it is ALL about Trump. Once he assumes room temperature, MAGA is finished.
Some of his followers, especially the politicians, will try to keep it going, but 90% of street level MAGAs were on board because of Trump, and once he’s gone, their interest in politics will wane. None of his henchmen or children will be acceptable, even though there will be many who will claim to be his chosen, or logical, successor, but NONE of them will attract the Trumper.
Besides, MAGA is down to less than 30%. It will be far lower after Trump croaks. Even if they could rally around a MAGA candidate, there won’t be the support. And of all the MAGA figures, the guy that helped Trump break his America First promise definitely won’t be the guy. Neither will Vance. Rubio has the only shot, because he still has non-MAGA creds, but he will also be tainted with MAGA, so it won’t work.