Washington – Amid several allegations of misconduct, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for the Pentagon, Pete Hegseth, is demonstrating defiance. With his confirmation seeming doubtful, several other candidates are being considered to replace him as Trump’s nominee, according to sources close to the transition. Among the potential replacements include Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Iowa Senator Joni Ernst.

However, Hegseth, the former Fox News host, dismissed reports that Trump is considering other nominees for the position of Defense Secretary. During his visits to Republican members of Congress, Hegseth confirmed that he has no intentions of withdrawing his nomination. He also revealed that he received encouragement from Trump to continue fighting.

In an interview with SiriusXM’s “The Megyn Kelly Show”, Hegseth stated that Trump reassured him of his support. When asked about the possibility of DeSantis replacing him, Hegseth stated that the decision rests with the president. Despite the previous tension between DeSantis and Trump, sources close to DeSantis suggest that the Florida Governor is interested in the role. Despite the political risks, DeSantis believes that the position could set him up for a presidential run in 2028.

Hegseth, a former “Fox & Friends” weekend co-host and Army veteran, has been meeting with Senate Republicans in recent weeks to garner support for his confirmation. However, recent reports detailing allegations of sexual misconduct, financial mismanagement at veterans’ charities, and repeated intoxication and infidelity have seemingly weakened his support.

Despite the allegations, Hegseth described his meetings with Senate Republicans as “a wonderful process”. He also penned an opinion piece in The Wall Street Journal, where he defended himself against the allegations and accused the media of spreading false information.

In his interview with Megyn Kelly, Hegseth addressed the sexual assault allegation that surfaced in late November. He categorically denied the allegation but admitted to past infidelity and said he has changed. Hegseth also responded to reports of concerns about his alcohol consumption, denying any drinking problem.

North Dakota GOP Sen. Kevin Cramer expressed a desire to ensure Hegseth’s redemption and improvement. He also acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations and their impact on Hegseth’s ability to do his job.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding his nomination, Hegseth said he plans to continue meeting with senators to earn their support. However, he acknowledged that there’s a chance he might not be confirmed.

Contributors to this report include Jim DeFede, Cristina Corujo, and Nikole Killion. Caitlin Yilek, a politics reporter at CBSNews.com, based in Washington, D.C., is the primary author of this report.