President Trump denied a Friday report that he’s weighing whether to install Jim Webb, a former Democratic senator, as the next defense secretary.

Trump pushed back on a New York Times report, referring to it as "fake news," that said his administration was considering Webb for the top post at the Department of Defense.

“I’m sure he is a fine man, but I don’t know Jim, and never met him,” Trump said.

Trump also expressed confidence in acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan, a former Boeing executive. Trump appointed Shanahan to the role after Jim Mattis stepped down in December. Mattis had said he would stay in the position until the end of February, but Trump moved up his departure by two months.



The story in the New York Times regarding Jim Webb being considered as the next Secretary of Defense is FAKE NEWS. I’m sure he is a fine man, but I don’t know Jim, and never met him. Patrick Shanahan, who is Acting Secretary of Defense, is doing a great job! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2019



Webb represented Virginia in the Senate for one term and ran as a candidate in the 2016 Democratic presidential primaries.

He was also appointed by former President Ronald Reagan in 1987 as secretary of the Navy.