Tom Cotton to meet with Trump defense pick Elbridge Colby as confirmation doubts swirl

Senate Republican conference Chairman Tom Cotton, R-Ark., is set to meet with President Donald Trump’s nominee for Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, Elbridge “Bridge” Colby, after facing backlash from some MAGA-aligned figures over the weekend. According to a source familiar with the matter, Cotton will meet with Colby in the coming days, following concerns raised by senators on the Senate Committee on Armed Services (SASC) regarding Colby’s past comments on Iran potentially obtaining a nuclear weapon.

Some members of the SASC had expressed reservations about Colby’s stances, particularly his views on the war between Russia and Ukraine and his previously stated position on Iran’s nuclear capabilities. Despite the concerns raised, Cotton is reportedly comfortable with nominees who support President Trump’s position in preventing Iran from accessing nuclear weapons.

The meeting between Cotton and Colby comes after Cotton faced criticism from figures in the MAGA-sphere, including Turning Point USA founder and CEO Charlie Kirk. Kirk expressed his support for Colby and urged Cotton to ultimately back the nominee, emphasizing the importance of nominees aligning with President Trump’s priorities.

Criticism of Cotton’s hesitance to support Colby also came from billionaire White House advisor Elon Musk, who questioned the opposition to Colby and inquired about Cotton’s reasoning behind his stance. Kirk took to social media to discuss Colby’s nomination and alleged that Cotton was working behind the scenes to block Colby’s confirmation at the Department of Defense.

Colby’s previous statements on containing a nuclear Iran have also been a point of contention, with some questioning whether his stance on the issue has changed. In a 2010 op-ed, Colby suggested that containing a nuclear Iran was a plausible objective, but acknowledged that preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear capabilities should be the primary goal for the U.S. and the international community.

As Cotton prepares to meet with Colby, the focus remains on ensuring that defense nominees align with President Trump’s positions and priorities. The White House has not provided comment on whether Colby’s stance on a nuclear Iran has evolved.

Julia Johnson, a politics writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business, is leading coverage of the U.S. Senate and will continue to report on developments related to Colby’s nomination. Follow Julia’s reporting on social media and stay tuned for updates on this story.