Trump's joint chiefs nominee says he never wore a MAGA hat

Retired Lt. Gen. Dan "Razin" Caine, President Trump’s pick to lead Joint Chiefs of Staff, insisted during a confirmation hearing on Tuesday that he never donned a red MAGA hat, contrary to reports on Trump's version of their 2018 meeting in Iraq.

"For 34 years, I've upheld my oath of office and the responsibilities of my commission," Caine said during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing Tuesday on his nomination. "I went back and listened to those tapes, and I think the president was actually talking about somebody else."

"I've never worn any political merchandise or said anything to that effect," he added.

Wearing political paraphernalia while on active duty would violate Department of Defense regulations.

The White House didn't immediately respond to The Hill's request for comment.

Trump has told the story several times of meeting a soldier with the unusual name "Razin' Caine" in Iraq in 2018 and having a discussion with him about the best way to defeat Islamic State terrorists in the region. The president has often credited Caine with insisting that ISIS could be quickly stamped out with the right authority.

During the 2024 Conservative Political Action Committee gathering in Maryland, Trump reportedly added the anecdote that Caine wore a red "Make America Great Again" cap when they met.

Politico reported in February concerns had been raised about the anecdote but a military official who served with Caine said the detail about the hat never happened.

"He’s never touched a MAGA hat," the official, who Politico did not name, told the outlet. "I’ve known him for a decade. Never heard him say anything political or partisan."