Who is John Phelan? MAGA Donor with No Military Experience Dismissed by Hegseth

Navy Secretary John Phelan has exited his position, a move that comes amid reported disagreements with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The Pentagon confirmed his departure on Wednesday, citing conflicts over critical issues, including the Navy’s shipbuilding program.

“President Trump and Secretary Hegseth concurred that new leadership at the Navy is essential,” a senior administration official disclosed. “Hegseth communicated this decision to Phelan before it was made public.”

This shake-up follows Hegseth's earlier dismissal of Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George, who emphasized the need for “courageous leaders of good character” in his farewell message.

Phelan’s removal is part of a broader trend of high-profile exits within the U.S. military, coinciding with ongoing operations to blockade Iranian ports near the Strait of Hormuz.

Recent events have disrupted global oil markets, with prices surging after Iranian forces seized three container ships attempting to navigate the crucial waterway.

Notably, Phelan lacks a military background; he previously made his mark as a businessman and political donor, significantly supporting Trump’s campaign. A graduate of Harvard and the London School of Economics, he co-founded MSD Capital, a private investment firm, before resigning in 2022 to establish Rugger Management LLC in Palm Beach, Florida.

In August 2024, he hosted Trump at a fundraising dinner in Colorado, where attendees were required to contribute at least $25,000.

Flight logs from the Jeffrey Epstein case also indicate that Phelan was a passenger on Epstein’s plane, although such mention does not imply any wrongdoing.

Phelan was appointed as the 79th Navy Secretary in March 2025, shortly after Trump’s reelection. “John will be a tremendous force for our Naval service members and a steadfast leader in advancing my America First vision,” Trump stated at the time. “He will prioritize the business of the US Navy above all else.”

According to reports, Phelan maintained a close relationship with Trump, with both owning homes in proximity to each other in Florida. They frequently discussed naval matters at Mar-a-Lago, and Phelan would often text Trump late at night regarding shipbuilding issues.

Frustration brewed among senior Pentagon officials last year when Phelan bypassed Hegseth to present a new battleship proposal directly to the president. Sources indicate that Hegseth and Deputy Defense Secretary Stephen Feinberg were also dissatisfied with Phelan’s approach to shipbuilding reforms and his close ties to Trump.

Hegseth believed Phelan was lagging in implementing necessary changes, while Feinberg sought greater control over responsibilities typically associated with the Navy secretary's role.

“Secretary Phelan’s abrupt dismissal is troubling,” remarked Senator Jack Reed, the leading Democrat on the Armed Services Committee. “In the midst of President Trump’s war of choice in Iran, at a moment when our naval forces are stretched thin across multiple theaters, this kind of disruption at the top sends the wrong signal to our sailors and Marines, to our allies, and to our adversaries.”

Phelan’s ousting marks yet another significant military change during Hegseth’s tenure. Earlier this month, he also dismissed Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George amid ongoing conflicts in Iran.

Phelan became the third high-ranking general to be removed within a week, joining Gen. David Hodne and Maj. Gen. William Green Jr. Reports suggest that Hegseth’s concerns about being replaced by Army Secretary Dan Driscoll fueled these decisions.

Additionally, Hegseth reportedly excluded four officers from a military promotions list last month, including two women and two Black men, according to sources.

Lt. Gen. Joe McGee, a three-star general on the Pentagon’s Joint Staff, was allegedly forced out in October following prolonged tensions with Hegseth over military strategy.

Conflicts between the two reportedly included disagreements over operations targeting suspected drug boats off Venezuela's coast.

In February, Trump dismissed Air Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and removed Adm. Lisa Franchetti, the Navy’s top officer. By April 3rd, reports indicated that 13 military officials had been either removed or retired under the Trump administration.

Hegseth has also claimed that subordinates are responsible for leaks regarding his alleged use of a commercial chat app for military strike planning instead of secure military channels.