India, Aug. 29 -- US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has denied a report that claimed he privately discussed running for president in 2028 on Friday. Hegseth called the allegations "100% false" after NBC News cited anonymous sources familiar with the conversations.

The report suggested Hegseth and his wife, Jennifer Hegseth, had floated the prospect of a future White House campaign with friends and associates over recent months.

The Pentagon also rejected the report before publication. Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell told NBC News that Hegseth was focused on leading the Defense Department and not preparing a presidential campaign.

"Secretary Hegseth is not running for president, and his main priority is leading the War Departme...