Trump says he may make a few Cabinet changes after Republican midterm losses
Trump named no one, says he has confidence in Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and replaced chief of staff Susie Wiles with Stephen Miller.
President Donald Trump said in a 60 Minutes interview with Ross Douthat that he may make "maybe a few changes" to his Cabinet after Republicans lost both and the in the elections. He did not say who might go. Excerpts were released on Friday, and the full interview is set to air Sunday.
Trump also announced Friday that longtime adviser Stephen Miller will replace Susie Wiles as White House chief of staff, effective Monday. Asked whether he still has confidence in Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, whose handling of the Iran war has drawn criticism, Trump said "I do." He added that "we've won two wars," pointing to Venezuela.
Asked whether Hegseth deserved credit for that operation, he said no, but that Hegseth was a part of it. Douthat said Trump agrees with Vice President JD Vance that the Iran war was the main driver of the losses, but Trump still thinks going to war was right. The White House did not immediately respond to The Daily Beast's request for comment.
- 36 percentKalshi's price for Hegseth leaving before Jan. 1, as of Saturday morningNewsweek
- 34 percentPolymarket's chance of Hegseth departing by Dec. 31Newsweek
Three sides of the story
7 news outlets reported this
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Liberal3 outlets
Trump's hint of more firings, Hegseth's standing
The Daily Beast's headline says Trump "teases mystery firings" after a " bloodbath." It stresses Hegseth's position, quoting Trump's "No. But he was a part of it" when asked if Hegseth deserved credit for Venezuela. It relays Douthat's account that Trump agrees with Vance on the Iran war.
It also reports Trump reportedly suggested immigration as an area for bipartisan work, which it calls a "curious choice" given the Miller appointment, and covers turmoil at 60 Minutes under Bari Weiss. Yahoo News reports Trump said he expects more Cabinet changes, signaling that Wiles' replacement may be only the beginning. It adds that CBS News reported Trump privately asked advisers whether Hegseth should stay, with DeSantis floated as a replacement and other sources saying no decision was made.
CBS News headlines the pairing of Trump's hint at firings with the announcement of Wiles' departure hours later.
Center2 outlets
Trump's warning, Hegseth's reprieve and Miller's rise
Newsweek leads with Trump saying he may make "a few changes" while expressing confidence in Hegseth. It lists earlier Cabinet departures, including Noem, Bondi, Chavez-DeRemer and Gabbard, and quotes Harmeet Dhillon saying she was not asked to resign. Under "Hegseth Receives A Public Reprieve," it calls Trump's answer a defense, but "not an unconditional guarantee of job security."
It cites Kalshi and Polymarket prices on Hegseth's exit, with a caution that they are not polls. It also quotes Republican strategist Matt Klink saying the Miller pick shows Trump "plans to fight." Newsweek notes it used an AI assistant to produce the story.
The Hill reports that Trump says a "few" Cabinet changes are in store after the GOP's midterm losses, quoting him: "I love my Cabinet."
Conservative2 outlets
Trump expects Cabinet firings after the midterm defeat
The Washington Examiner leads with Trump saying he expects to fire Cabinet members after "blistering losses," without saying who. It counts Wiles as one of the "few," says she is moving to a role in Trump's political operation, and describes Hegseth as among the most "controversial" Cabinet members floated for removal because of the Iran war.
It gives Trump's full Venezuela answer and lists earlier exits: Bondi, Noem, Gabbard and Chavez-DeRemer. The New York Post says Trump signaled Wiles "won't be the only" official out the door. It notes the interview was taped hours before Wiles got "the boot," and quotes Trump: "I do," then "A little bit."
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All sources: 7 articles from 7 outlets
Liberal (3)
- CBS News: Trump said to expect firings. Hours later, he announced Susie Wiles' departure.
- The Daily Beast: Donald Trump Teases Mystery Firings After MAGA Bloodbath
- Yahoo News: Trump signals more cabinet changes in store after Republican midterm losses
Center (2)
- Newsweek: Donald Trump Teases More Firings, Defends Pete Hegseth
- The Hill: Trump says 'a few' cabinet changes are in store after GOP midterm blowout
Conservative (2)
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