The White House is pushing back hard against a fresh NPR report claiming it has begun searching for a replacement for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called the story “total FAKE NEWS” in a post on X, insisting that President Trump “stands strongly behind” Hegseth.
The NPR report, citing an unnamed U.S. official, surfaced just minutes before Leavitt’s denial and follows new scrutiny of Hegseth. On Sunday, reports emerged alleging that Hegseth had participated in a second Signal chatroom—alongside his wife and brother—where he reportedly shared sensitive details about planned U.S. strikes in Yemen.
This @NPR story is total FAKE NEWS based on one anonymous source who clearly has no idea what they are talking about.
— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) April 21, 2025
As the President said this morning, he stands strongly behind @SecDef. https://t.co/5Npig8968v
Despite the controversy, the White House has maintained a united front. Earlier Monday, President Trump reaffirmed his support, echoing Leavitt’s statement.
