Trump says talk of successor premature, avoids comment on defense secretary's 2028 bid

US President Donald Trump said it is still too early to discuss his possible successor, declining to comment on whether Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will run in the 2028 presidential election.

Trump's remarks came in response to a question about an NBC News report stating that Hegseth is considering a White House bid.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said Hegseth is doing "a great job," but emphasized that talk of a presidential run is "far too premature" at this stage.

Trump added, "We have to get through the midterm elections first," highlighting the importance of waiting for the outcome of the upcoming elections before discussing future candidacies.