Fact Check: Is Trump considering replacing Marco Rubio with Pete Hegseth as Secretary of State?
WASHINGTON, DC: A rumor is circulating on social media after the historic Republican defeat in the midterm elections, claiming President Donald Trump is considering replacing Marco Rubio with Pete Hegseth as the Secretary of State. The claim has sparked debates, concerns, and speculation among online users, prompting a fact-check.
Claim: Trump to replace Marco Rubio with Pete Hegseth
The claim appeared as a post on X, according to which Donald Trump is considering promoting Pete Hegseth to Secretary of State if Marco Rubio quits this weekend.
The post has garnered tens of thousands of views as of this writing, sparking mixed reactions from online users, with many expressing concerns over the alleged development, suggesting that they believe the claim, while a few others expressed disbelief and called for verification of the claim.
Fact Check: No credible evidence to support the claim
The claim is rated as false, as there is no evidence that suggests Trump is considering replacing Rubio with Hegseth.
There are no official statements, announcements, social media posts, or press releases from the president or the White House that support the claim.
Rubio on Thursday, November 5, even rejected reports that he was preparing to leave Trump’s administration.
A search on Google for the claim yielded no credible news media reports, which, if true, would not only go unreported but would have even made headlines.
Moreover, the X account that posted the claim is not credible, and its bio says ‘craziest stories on the internet,’ likely suggesting that it's a parody account, and the claim was intended as satire made for the sake of engagement.
Stephen Miller named White House chief of staff
The claim surfaced after Trump named Stephen Miller as the new White House chief of staff, replacing Susie Wiles, sparking cabinet reshuffling rumors.
Speaking to reporters, Trump said Wiles had "done a very good job", but "we've got to make moves sometimes".
Taking to X on Friday, Miller called Trump "the most transformative political leader in American History" who has "single-handedly saved America from those who would destroy it".
"The mission now is clearer than ever: Fight with all of our soul to support our President and defend this magnificent Republic," Miller said.
Wiles gave her resignation to Trump on Thursday, which, according to sources, was tied to the midterm losses.
Wiles wrote on X that being on Trump's team had been "the honour of a lifetime.”
"I'm so proud to have been a part of what we've accomplished together," she said, adding: "While my role may be changing, my commitment to the President and the mission never will," she said.
